Lions a puzzle for Fagan
LIONS coach Chris Fagan had a big decision to make as he walked to the rooms after his side’s 30-point victory over Carlton last night.
Did he greet his players with the mother of all sprays and then build them up with a bit of love? Or did he start with the positives, a win is a win after all, and save the anger for the review?
Because there is no doubt the Lions deserve both.
Brisbane’s performance was at times scintillating and others appalling, but it was never boring – a brilliant start, a midmatch slumber party and a gutsy finish.
The best Gabba crowd of the year, 18,847, found their voice in a stunning first half and were collectively in the foetal position in the third quarter when the Blues launched their comeback.
The first half was the most exciting footy the Lions have produced under Fagan. Their ball movement was slick and they negotiated with ease Carlton’s defensive wall, they were hard at the contest and they were able to score heavily.
While Tom Rockliff did a super shutdown job on Bryce Gibbs, restricting him to just eight touches, Dayne Zorko was the architect of the win with a brilliant first half.
He ran amok, winning the footy and kicking goals. He finished the game with 26 touches and three goals.
It was a different Carlton side that emerged from the tunnel after halftime. And it was a different Zorko. The spite that had bubbled away since before the opening bounce of the game rose to the surface. He had swinging arm incidents with Lachie Ploughman and Sam Petrevski-Seton that will attract the attention of the match review panel.
The margin was 53 points at the main break and they extended that to a game-high 56 when Lewis Taylor kicked the first goal of the second half.
But the Blues had lifted their pressure and Brisbane had started to try to sneak out the back for easy kicks.
Marc Murphy started to get his hands on the footy and collectively his men were outworking the Lions. Carlton booted seven unanswered goals to draw within 11 points before Daniel Rich provided the steadier from outside 50 with 11 minutes to go.
When Eric Hipwood bombed another from a similar range, the crowd was back and Fagan was back to pondering his post-match speech.
The Lions have been slightly offended at the repeat questions about their eligibility to receive a priority pick this year.
Senior club figures have not been resigned to winning the wooden spoon. They had last night pencilled in for a win a month ago and haven’t wavered in that belief. They have drawn level on points with North Melbourne and will consider matches in the run home against the Kangaroos and Gold Coast to be winnable.