The Soaring

Recap

Brisbane Lions 5.4 11.5 14.7 17.11 (113)
West Coast 3.3 5.6 8.10 9.13 (67)

On the face of it we got another hammering, 46 points this time and our losing sequence extends to 7 (for the second time this season). But on closer examination, it wasn’t all as bad as that.

When we closed to within 4 points midway through the second quarter we entered terrain our team had not known for many a week - we were still in it.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last and the Lions banged on the next 5 goals to lead by 35 points at half time. It was incredibly frustrated, to be looking half good only to have it taken away just as quickly. We did, however, get a glimpse and that is more than we’ve shown in the last month or so.

There were a couple things I liked about this game, which gives me cause to believe we can build on them.

I thought Jamie McNamara showed a bit. He’s a goer. He tackles as though he’s giving 100% and unlike a lot of 19 year olds his tackles aren’t broken through like he has arms of wet paper. Putting him in the middle for the rest of the year is a must because right now he’s our leading light amongst our younger midfield brigade.

I liked the contribution of Lynch and Staker up the ground. Lynch added a lot to our side with his long inside 50 entries and his ability to compete on the ground and in the air. Stake likewise probably played one of his better games of the season and it appears like the midfield is the place for him to play. He’s great on the ground and is agile and quick enough to run through there. I can see a Goodes-type role for Staker in the midfield - but as always - consistency is the key. We want to see it next week, Brent.

It is clear we can’t have a forward line that includes all of Hansen, Kennedy, Lynch, Staker and McKinley. I include McKinley in that group because the problem with talls in the forward line is really not their height, it’s the ability to ensure the defence doesn’t run off you and create scoring opportunities on the rebound.

Even with Kennedy, Hansen and McKinley our defensive pressure is pretty suspect. McKinley - whom I’ve defended as a player we need to keep - really needs to work on the defensive part of his game over the off-season because it is hampering him as player right now. I’d love to see his demeanour on the field become a bit more positive as well - I think it would be a good indicator he is willing to do the team thing for the benefit of the team. Having said that his dying seconds pack mark and goal is what he offers the team and what makes him a valuable member of the squad.

Some of the Veterans had good games as well. Hansen worked into a bit of form, Embley, Fletcher and Selwood found plenty of it. And Dean Cox just continues to lead the way. His 36 possession, 27 hit out, 11 mark game just continues to raise the bar for himself, and all other ruckmen in the game.

But the fact remains we got beaten by 8 goals. And part of the reason is that our younger players are not all able to consistently compete at this level.

McKenzie and Wilkes were very good in defence against Brown / Bradshaw / Brennan and showed some more good signs for the future.

Ebert was solid if not spectacular, but the likes of Davis, S.Selwood and Houlihan were pretty quiet. All four have a future in my mind, and while they are all at different stages of development and we see good things, it is a fact they are all rookies and aren’t able to contribute to the standard needed week in and out.

That’s the pay off I suppose for getting development into these blokes. Whilst we’re not as competitive across the board right now, we’ll be far better placed in the future.