In a game in which there was no Sam Taylor, Toby Greene or Stephen Coniglio not to mention Brent Daniels as the unused sub, the Giants showed the destructive power are capable and also how weak the Lions have become.
This was the fifth loss for last year’s grand finalists the Lions but up against the very impressive Giants they played like the equivalent of a bottom 10 side – and that’s being generous.
The Lions lost the dashing and flash Kiddy Coleman sadly to a season-ending injury and have had off-season star recruit Tom Doedee suffer a similar fate.
This is no excuse – but what has this team become? They are currently meek at best and more like a kitten than a lion.
Letting Tom Green off the leash and running rampant through the midfield required some serious attention.
When asked post-game what occurred, Brisbane coach Fagan had one of the worst responses I’ve heard in a long time.
“What happened?” he was asked. The reply: “First half was fine, second below par”.
Why? Fagan could only provide a “I don’t know”.
A deplorable answer and showing from a team that has hit yet another barrier when they are well and truly in the premiership window.
Were the Giants just too good? I don’t think so.
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This was a team pegged as being a grand finalist again by many after just falling short last season.
However, I have a theory to what the club needs to do in the short and medium term.
Will Ashcroft is an absolute star who went down sadly last season with a brutal knee injury but there is a silver lining to this if you think long term. His brother Levi who many have already said will be a top five if not the number 1 pick in the 2024 draft after opting to finish high school first then nominate for the draft.
This has a very interesting element as Brisbane particularly at home were a force last season. Looking at this current team though raises some interesting questions.
Is a mini-rebuild needed? Coleman was the new Daniel Rich and going down in their first game broke what could have been a dominant individual year for a rising talent.
From there they have not recovered, and in my opinion, won’t recover this season.
Brisbane Lions. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images )
They have two absolute stars in Ashcroft and Coleman on the shelf and this won’t be the year.
This is where I think young Levi comes into the fold. The Lions will need to match a bid for him which will cost them a lot.
However, if they are clever they can use this season as a passing of the guard season and send off some very talented players whilst also trying to be competitive.
Some big calls that I would like to see is that Dayne Zorko and Jarryd Lyons retire, and Hugh McCluggage and Oscar McInerney are traded.
These may seem odd decisions but will be justified if they want to stay competitive.
The Ashcrofts are the future as will Doedee down back, but right here right now the Lions are not ready.
Their Gabba fortress has only resulted in losses so far. A far cry from the past two seasons when it was a haunting ground for any team travelling to the Brown and Gold.
This may seem like a far-out idea but could the Lions coasting and writing this season off due to the players coming back next year – and what they will possibly get in the draft?
It’s not the worst idea considering they currently sit outside the eight and would get a better draw next season with a better list very similar to what Geelong currently have in regards to fixture-wise.
I welcome your thoughts on what may be a solution for the Lions.
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Thoughts, Crows fans?
Poor Luke had best get used to this!
A bit lucky for the Lion?
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