sport, national-sport
The Brisbane Lions can now not declare to be an AFL staff on the rise that may realistically problem for a premiership in years to come back. The flag window for Chris Fagan’s staff is huge open proper now. After a decade within the finals wilderness, successive top-two home-and-away finishes in 2019 and 2020 offered vital pleasure to long-suffering followers. However expectations have readjusted and easily qualifying for the post-season is now not sufficient. Whereas the Lions have taken some main steps rapidly in 4 earlier seasons beneath Fagan, it has been gradual and regular at finals time. A straight-sets exit in 2019 was adopted up by a rousing drought-breaking victory over nemesis Richmond in final 12 months’s qualifying closing. However that the place is it ended, with Geelong proving too robust for a lacklustre Brisbane outfit within the preliminary closing The sobering 40-point defeat on the Gabba left the Lions with a lot to ponder as they missed out on a rematch towards the Tigers within the decider. Brisbane had been the highest-scoring staff in 2019, and second-best final 12 months, however their ahead line unravelled when it mattered. Securing the prized signature of Joe Daniher will assist, however can the previous Essendon spearhead energy the Lions to their first flag since 2003? “(Former GWS ahead) Jeremy Cameron is likely to be the lacking piece of the jigsaw puzzle for Geelong, too,” Fagan mentioned. “I imply everybody’s looking for their lacking piece. We have been a staff that is been in a position to rating rather well over the past couple of years. “We simply suppose Joe will make our ahead line a bit of bit extra harmful.” What Daniher will do is take the warmth off fellow tall ahead Eric Hipwood, who has struggled together with his set-shot kicking. However with the departure of veteran massive man Stefan Martin, the injury-plagued Daniher, who performed simply 15 video games in his closing three years with the Bombers, shall be anticipated to shoulder among the ruck duties. Oscar McInerney is clearly the Lions’ No.1 ruckman, however Daniher, former basketballer Tom Fullarton and Daniel McStay might want to pitch in as groups readjust to full-length quarters and a 23-round season. Whereas the Lions have loved a great run with accidents in latest instances, they strategy spherical one already with a serious out. Former No.1 draft choose Cameron Rayner has proven bursts of his monumental expertise within the earlier 4 seasons and appeared to destined to go to a different degree in 2021. However he may have a 12 months off after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament within the Lions’ closing follow match towards Gold Coast. Rayner’s absence creates a possibility for different younger Lions gamers to step up. Harry Sharp, who remains to be in highschool, seems to be a real probability to debut after impressing within the pre-season, whereas Blake Coleman has joined his thrilling brother Keidean on the membership. Star midfielder Lachie Neale is coming off an all-conquering Brownlow Medal profitable season, and the scary factor is he may go to a different degree. Neale believed the AFL’s shorter quarters lessened his influence, however the former Fremantle star nonetheless managed to ballot 31 votes from 17 video games in final 12 months’s Brownlow rely. Australian Related Press
/pictures/remodel/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/ec0cf10d-d3c4-4d75-9457-28115b1ab201.jpg/r0_74_800_526_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
The Brisbane Lions can now not declare to be an AFL staff on the rise that may realistically problem for a premiership in years to come back.
The flag window for Chris Fagan’s staff is huge open proper now.
After a decade within the finals wilderness, successive top-two home-and-away finishes in 2019 and 2020 offered vital pleasure to long-suffering followers.
However expectations have readjusted and easily qualifying for the post-season is now not sufficient.
Whereas the Lions have taken some main steps rapidly in 4 earlier seasons beneath Fagan, it has been gradual and regular at finals time.
A straight-sets exit in 2019 was adopted up by a rousing drought-breaking victory over nemesis Richmond in final 12 months’s qualifying closing.
However that the place is it ended, with Geelong proving too robust for a lacklustre Brisbane outfit within the preliminary closing
The sobering 40-point defeat on the Gabba left the Lions with a lot to ponder as they missed out on a rematch towards the Tigers within the decider.
Brisbane had been the highest-scoring staff in 2019, and second-best final 12 months, however their ahead line unravelled when it mattered.
Securing the prized signature of Joe Daniher will assist, however can the previous Essendon spearhead energy the Lions to their first flag since 2003?
“(Former GWS ahead) Jeremy Cameron is likely to be the lacking piece of the jigsaw puzzle for Geelong, too,” Fagan mentioned.
“I imply everybody’s looking for their lacking piece. We have been a staff that is been in a position to rating rather well over the past couple of years.
“We simply suppose Joe will make our ahead line a bit of bit extra harmful.”
What Daniher will do is take the warmth off fellow tall ahead Eric Hipwood, who has struggled together with his set-shot kicking.
However with the departure of veteran massive man Stefan Martin, the injury-plagued Daniher, who performed simply 15 video games in his closing three years with the Bombers, shall be anticipated to shoulder among the ruck duties.
Oscar McInerney is clearly the Lions’ No.1 ruckman, however Daniher, former basketballer Tom Fullarton and Daniel McStay might want to pitch in as groups readjust to full-length quarters and a 23-round season.
Whereas the Lions have loved a great run with accidents in latest instances, they strategy spherical one already with a serious out.
Former No.1 draft choose Cameron Rayner has proven bursts of his monumental expertise within the earlier 4 seasons and appeared to destined to go to a different degree in 2021.
However he may have a 12 months off after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament within the Lions’ closing follow match towards Gold Coast.
Rayner’s absence creates a possibility for different younger Lions gamers to step up.
Harry Sharp, who remains to be in highschool, seems to be a real probability to debut after impressing within the pre-season, whereas Blake Coleman has joined his thrilling brother Keidean on the membership.
Star midfielder Lachie Neale is coming off an all-conquering Brownlow Medal profitable season, and the scary factor is he may go to a different degree.
Neale believed the AFL’s shorter quarters lessened his influence, however the former Fremantle star nonetheless managed to ballot 31 votes from 17 video games in final 12 months’s Brownlow rely.
Australian Related Press