Brisbane without a home win this year
The Lions didn’t lose a single game on their home ground last year. Well, it’s round six, and so far they’re zip and three at home for the year. And yes, they’ve all been to good teams – Carlton, Collingwood and now Geelong – but that spells big trouble for last year’s runners-up.
They did beat Melbourne at the MCG, a tough ask at any time, but at two wins and four losses for the year, and with GWS next up on Anzac Day, in Canberra, their season is seriously teetering. They’ve had some bad luck, of course.
Losing half-back Keidean Coleman for the year has robbed them of a major playmaker, and recruit Tom Doedee suffering another ACL injury on the verge of his Lions debut was a heartbreaker. But too many players are also down on last year’s output.
Brisbane v Geelong.Credit: Getty
Cats are finals contenders, at a minimum
Many pundits, this one included, expected the Cats to miss the eight for a second year running. But Chris Scott’s team has made a habit of defying pundits for a decade now.
And here they are, defying gravity yet again: on top of the ladder, unbeaten after round six.
Beating the Lions away from home on an atrocious night for football and without a goal from either Jeremy Cameron or Tom Hawkins, is some effort.
Perhaps the biggest revelation has been the midfield, which has held up despite the absence of Cam Guthrie and the ageing legs of Patrick Dangerfield.
Dangerfield was crucial to the win, while young Tanner Bruhn is vastly improved. They’ll face Carlton next week, unfortunately minus superstar defender Tom Stewart, who was subbed out tonight with concussion.
Zorko can hold head high
One Lion who can hold his head high, and whose output has not diminished, is former captain Dayne Zorko.
Zorko is 35, the same age as Dangerfield, and soft tissue injuries have started to catch up in recent years. But his performance tonight was imperious, with two goals from 27 possessions to top the Lions’ stats sheet.
Dayne Zorko can hold his head high.Credit: Getty
Mostly he’s been playing at half-back since the injury to Keidean Coleman.
His kicking is still a delight, continually setting up play with sharp, low passes, but it’s the way he sees the game unfolding ahead of most of his younger teammates that still has the capacity to surprise.
Unfortunately, not enough of said teammates came along for the ride with him, with Charlie Cameron having a particularly dirty night in a game where the small forwards ruled.