It might’ve only been the pre-season, but the Brisbane Lions made a powerful flag statement against Geelong in a dominant 46-point win, 13.13 (91) to 6.8 (45).
Josh Dunkley starred with 31 disposals to lead the new-look midfield alongside Will Ashcroft (26 disposals) as the Lions will go into the season proper oozing with confidence after defeating fellow 2022 grand finalist Sydney last week.
There was however some injury concerns on the night including a potential hamstring setback to Jack Payne, while Eric Hipwood sat out the rest of the game after a big collision.
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‘7 teams’ could win the flag in 2023 | 02:04
QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT
Brisbane got off to the ideal start with the first three goals of the game including Jack Gunston picking up where he left off last week with the first major of the game.
Gunston isn’t the only Lions recruit who impressed early, with Pick 2 draftee Will Ashcroft also enjoying a hot start after a strong first unofficial showing last week.
Joe Daniher kicked Brisbane’s fourth in a row with a snap after running around Oscar McInerney while he was kicking at goal on the angle.
“That’s very un-Geelong like,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said after the play on Fox Footy.
“To allow Daniher to wrap around the back, knowing he’s a left footer and having the time to kick the goal. You would normally see them close that down before Daniher has even thought about it.”
The Lions took a 26-point lead into quarter-time, 4.4 (28) to 0.2 (2).
Lachie Neale launched a long-range bomb to open up a 28-point lead for Brisbane in the second term as it was all one-way traffic.
The Cats finally got their first goal on the board nearing the halfway mark of the second quarter after Gary Rohan made good on a set shot after a free kick.
Oliver Dempsey made it two Geelong goals in a row after getting on the end of a neat play from Chris Scott’s team to make it a 27-point difference.
Brisbane kept up its dominant play in the second term, but couldn’t make good on its repeated entries inside 50 as its inefficiency in front of goal halted the Lions really doing damage.
Brisbane led 6.9 (45) to 2.3 (15) at half-time.
The goals kept coming for the home side in the second half, with Lincoln McCarthy kicking one against his old side.
A huge collision between Eric Hipwood, Esava Ratugolea and Sam De Koning took place early in the third, with all three players coming off worse for wear despite the tremendous courage shown.
After getting his head bandaged and also appearing to suffer a corky, Hipwood was ruled out for the rest of the game, although it appeared more precautionary than anything.
The Lions meanwhile kept stacking on goals, with Keidean Coleman extending their lead to 43 points.
Brisbane took a 37-point lead into three-quarter time, 9.12 (66) to 4.5 (29).
Darcy Fort provided one of the highlights of the game with a monster set shot goal from outside 50 – that perhaps required a bit of luck – such was the smirk the big man gave off after kicking truly.
The Lions were dealt a potential injury blow, with Jack Payne sitting at the back of their bench during the fourth quarter icing up his hamstring.
There was no love lost between the two teams in the final quarter including some push and shove between Cam Guthrie and Ashcroft.
Tyson Stengle showed off his tricks with one of the goals of the pre-season weaving through a couple of Lions and snapping truly – his second major of the game to go with 20 disposals.
THE 3-2-1 …
3. ARE LIONS THE NEW FLAG FAVOURITES?
There was question marks last week over whether anyone could beat the reigning premier Geelong, who only got stronger during a busy trade period.
But they may have just met their biggest challenger for 2023.
The Lions, who themselves probably got the best off-season additions of any club, looked ominous from the first bounce, and as if they were already playing in the season proper with their intensity.
As Fox Footy’s Dwayne Russell exclaimed, Brisbane really was “putting on a show” for its home fans with thrilling ball movement.
This is likely the Lions’ best chance yet at winning a flag under Chris Fagan, with no real holes on its list after several years of finals shortcomings.
While there’s ample conversation around recruits Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston and Will Ashcroft, the rest of the star-studded list also deserves praise, while the likes of Hugh McCluggage, Zac Bailey, Eric Hipwood, Cam Rayner and Deven Robertson should only keep getting better.
It may only be the pre-season, but after also smashing the other grand finalist Sydney last week, the Lions have made some sort of premiership statement.
2. UNDERRATED DUNKLEY TRAIT THAT ‘RAISES RESPECT LEVEL’
After crossing from the Bulldogs to the Lions on a six-year deal worth over $4 million, Josh Dunkley is going to be worth every cent to his new side.
The star midfielder put in another masterful performance in his second unofficial hit-out in his new colours, racking up 31 disposals with seven tackles.
Perhaps an area of Dunkley’s game that hasn’t gotten enough credit is his courage, showing off his fearlessness all game both in the air including a brave play running back with the flight and and at ground level by taking plenty of bruises in the contest.
“He’s got a lot of courage Dunkley when he attacks the footy from all angles, running with the flight there,” Hawks legend Jason Dunstall said.
It’ll go a long way for the Lions, to not use beef up their midfield, but also help Lachie Neale get off the leash b giving opposition another damaging player to give attention to.
In Dunkley, Neale, Hugh McCluggage and Will Ashcroft, the Lions suddenly have arguably the most potent midfield in the competition.
Bulldogs great Brad Johnson added: “As a teammate of Dunkley, you know what’s coming, but to actually see it live, that’s when your respect level raises a notch.
“Josh has been excellent … he would’ve earned that already with his training standers and his performance is top level. He’s going to be a great recruit.”
1. IMPORTANCE OF CAMERON AND HAWKINS LAID BARE AS POTENTIAL CATS FLAW
While the Cats were beaten in basically every area of the game and all facets, the the absence of Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins – and thus lack of presence up forward – was felt.
Hawkins is recovering from off-season foot surgery set to sideline him foe the early rounds of the season, while Cameron was rested for the contest.
Combining for 132 goals last season, the pair are irreplaceable and their exclusions were always going to hurt the Cats against one of the flag favourites.
But with opposition now set to lock down harder on Cameron, it could be a potential Cats flaw to start the season proper, particularly with Jack Henry also sidelined with a foot issue.
Of course, one of Geelong’s greatest strengths is its array of weapons in attack, as the likes of Tyson Stengle, Gary Rohan and off-season recruit Ollie Henry still provide plenty of firepower.
But a team that looked unstoppable – and basically was – for the majority of 2022 suddenly has an area of its game not as potent as it could be.
LIONS
B: B.Starcevich, J.Payne, D.Rich
HB: C.McKenna, H.Andrews, D.Wilmot
C: W.Ashcroft, Z.Bailey, D.Robertson
HF: C.Cameron, J.Gunston, H.McCluggage
F: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, E.Hipwood
FOL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale
INT: L.McCarthy, J.Madden, K.Coleman, J.Prior, H.Sharp, J.Tunstill, D.Fort, D.Joyce
EMG: N.Cockatoo, J.Lyons, T.Fullarton, R.Lester
CATS
B: T.Stewart, S.De Koning, J.Kolodjashnij
HB: Z.Tuohy, E.Ratugolea, Z.Guthrie
C: M.O’Connor, M.Blicavs, S.Menegola
HF: P.Dangerfield, O.Henry, B.Close
F: T.Stengle, G.Rohan, G.Miers
FOL: R.Stanley, C.Guthrie, T.Bruhn
I/C: J.Bews, C.Whyte, J.Ceglar, T.Atkins, B.Parfitt, S.Simpson, O.Dempsey, M.Holmes
EMG: M.Knevitt, O.Mullin, O.Riccardi, T.Clohesy
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