It is hard to be disappointed in a percentage boosting win, indeed there were a lot of positives to come out of the game, but I can’t help feeling a tinge disappointed. Our scoring accuracy was shocking, the margin should have been 80 points at least. Our defensive pressure was brilliant, we made the opposition crumble with our chase and tackle. Some of delivery to our key forwards was atrocious, I lost count of the number of times J. Brown had a shocking pass come his way. And equally bad was our kicking at goal.

Onto the positives… well it is hard to go past Simon Black with 36 touches, a squillion clearances and an amazing 18 contest possessions for such a lightly framed player. He would have to be up there in the Brownlow voting at the moment. Simon Black’s form is somewhat of a formality, he is a champion. The guys that impressed me yesterday were Hooper, Corrie and Brennan, they both had genuinely exciting games, if Brennan could just kick straight we’d be so much better off. I was calling for his head two weeks ago, but now Michael Rischitelli has put in two top five games in a row to well and truly cement himself in my starting 22.

Tim Notting, Robert Copeland and Travis Johnstone, all guys that we need a lift out of based on their age and experience all had decent games, but are all capable of more. Our back line wasn’t really tested, the only real standout was Joel MacDonald once again putting in a brilliant effort. Colm Begley’s absence down there was very noticeable though.

Next week I’ll be travelling down to Geelong for our match against the defending premiers…. wish me luck. In my mind a good result would be to finish within five goals, I think we are capable at our best. I also know that we are capable of not even showing up after a short 6 day turnaround and yesterday’s 31 degree heat. I think it will be a season defining performance how we approach this game. If we can go close, it will give our group a sense of belief, if we get demoralised well our season could be derailed.

Votes

5 – S Black
4 – R Hooper
3 – A Corrie
2 – M Rischitelli
1 – D Bradshaw

Tonight was our best game of the season, even though we lost! We played four genuine quarters of football and matched it with what has to be the second best team going around at the moment. Lance Franklin was just too good for us, some of his goals and Rioli’s one from the boundary were the difference really.

Daniel Bradshaw has been awesome since his return, but the form of Jonathan Brown is concern. The last three weeks he hasn’t been able to find a clear run at the football, let alone get his hands on it for much of the game. The midfield really stepped up tonight, with only a slight lapse at the start of the 4th quarter which cost us. The back line, our most under rated department had a night to forget, but it was all the talent of Franklin, nothing much could be done. Having McGrath back in the side really seemed to free up Hooper and he had some excellent touches and his pressure was A+. Anthony Corrie is fast becoming one of my favourite players. His body isn’t built for contests, but that’s okay he knows how to find space and his use of the football is usually very good. His inside 50′s and the run and penetration he gives up is something to be admired, as his pressure when the opposition have the ball.

I’m not going to get too upset about tonight’s results, it was a getable game in the end, but I can’t fault my teams performance. Next week we have an important game to make sure we can even our win-loss ledger.

Votes
5 – D Bradshaw
4 – M Rischitelli
3 – A Corrie
2 – R Hooper
1 – S Black

We are the pride of Brisbane town,
We wear maroon, blue and gold.
We will always fight for victory,
Like Fitzroy, and Bears of old.
All for one, and one for all,
We will answer to the call.
Go Lions, Brisbane Lions,
We’ll kick the winning score.
You’ll hear our mighty roar!

ROAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We will not have a better victory this season, unless we make the finals that is! We were absolutely horrendous in the first half, the third quarter was break even and the final quarter was pure ecstasy.  The wet conditions helped us greatly, but it still took pure heart to come over the top and win.

Lets start with the first half, nothing went our way. There were very few players that could hold their heads up high, there was no pressurem hard ball gets, and disposal was horrible. The umpiring was equally as bad, the complete silenece of AAMI stadium when the Lions deserved a free kick really didn’t help. The goal awarded to Cornes when the ball hit the umpire was the worst goal umpiring decision I’ve ever seen. There were too many passengers though and we were dominated and look very slow.

The third quarter our work rate lifted, decision making and disposal still left a bit to be desired though. It’s so frustrating to watch when the team is making so many mistakes, but at least in the 3rd quarter the mistakes were more on the positive side of things, with players trying to take risks and make things happen. At three quarter time I commented to Emmy that the game had been a torture to watch and she asked why I was still watching and I told her that we were close enough if we really wanted it.

Boy did the Lions want it and geez did Port want to lose it. port Adelaide went to sleep and Brisbane reverted to a game plan that suited the wet conditions perfectly. The silk of Black in the middle and the two towers of Bradshaw and Brown up forward really capitalised on the conditions and Port’s weary players. Needless to say there was lots of jumping up and down, throwing my fists in the air and beating my chest in the last quarter. People are often bewildered why I would choose to cancel all social engagements in order to watch my team play, even on TV… Well, if you felt what I felt tonight with that victory you would know why.

My Votes
5 - Bradshaw
4 – Black
3 - Johnstone
2 – Leuenberger
1 - MacDonald

Sydney have the wood over us, Leigh Matthews is constantly out coached by Paul Roos. We have no answer for Adam Goodes, the Swans size beats us at the stoppages and our defenders have no way of stopping the good delivery coming into the Swans forward line.

It is so frustrating at the moment that we play great for these 10 minute periods in matches and then completely lose focus at other stages. It has happened in all three games so far, we got away with it against Collingwood, but we are never going to be a finals team unless we can be consistent for four quarters.

We missed Josh Drummond tonight, he gives us direction out of the back half and has some a beautiful and penetrating kick. J. Brown was double teamed out of the game, which was fine because it gave Bradshaw the space he needed. Our set shots for goal and some of our decisions to play on in the forward line at crucial stages was woeful.

To finish as close as we did was a pretty fair effort. I’ll be disappointed if we play like that next week though. The two big positives to come out of the game were Bradshaw’s re-emergence after showing glimpses the last two weeks and also the work of Albert Proud. Proud will be a superstar, and he has the big frame that we need in the midfield to win us the ball so guys like Black, Johnstone and Power can receive and use it well.

My Votes
5 – Bradshaw
4 – Proud
3 – Adcock
2 – Notting
1 – Black

My first live game for the season, the Lions first home game and a much needed victory, albeit we did it the hard way. Unlike last week there weren’t too many players making up the numbers for the Lions, maybe Sherman, Henderson and Hooper are the only players who had quiet ones.

I still have my reservations about the team this year though, in the first two games of the season they have had periods where there intensity has dropped off and skill errors have been plentiful. Our game plan is still lacking, particularly coming out of defense, a lot of the time we don’t move it quick enough and players don’t make space and work for each other. Going in our favor is that we have a few genuine superstars in the team, which are capable of not only turning games, but making sure we stay in touch with teams. The come from behind win tonight showed a lot of character, something which gives me a lot of hope.

I’m dismayed at some of the free kicks that were paid tonight, for both teams. Some of the soft ones for chopping the arms, sheparding, holding and too high were laughable. Not only is the interpretation of these rules entirely inconsistent from match to match, but even from quarter to quarter. Not only that, the game is going in the wrong direction if it starts to pay these netball type fouls.

My Votes

5 – L. Power
4 – S. Black
3 – T. Johnstone
2 – J. Brennan
1 – J. Adcock