Zorko exit spoils Gabba party
THE Brisbane juggernaut has hit its first real speed hump with skipper Dayne Zorko a casualty in their 18-point victory over the Bulldogs at the Gabba yesterday.
The Lions overcame the loss of their captain to a hamstring injury and the thirdquarter blitz from the Bulldogs that immediately followed his departure to record their seventh consecutive victory.
Charlie Cameron will surely win an All Australian blazer this year, after his four-goal haul yesterday took his season tally to 41.
But once again the Lions showed they had multiple scoring options, with Allen Christensen, Mitch Robinson and Eric Hipwood kicking two apiece.
The loss leaves the Dogs in 11th place, a win and significant percentage behind the eighthplaced Crows with a tough run home against top-eight sides Essendon, GWS and Adelaide.
Brisbane remains in contention for a top-two spot and will go into Saturday’s Q Clash as a heavy favourite — but the potential absence of Zorko could have ramifications for the Lions’ finals aspirations.
As is their custom, the Bulldogs got plenty of the footy in the opening half, but Brisbane looked to be in control.
While the Dogs’ connectivity and ability to convert forward entries into goals must have been a frustration for their coach Luke Beveridge and their fans — the Lions were clinical.
Their biggest lead was 43 points after Lachie Neale’s goal in the third quarter.
Neale had been running hot, winning three consecutive clearances that led to scores in the opening exchanges of the third term. But just when the contest looked like turning into a percentage booster that could have elevated Brisbane over reigning premier West Coast into second place, disaster struck.
With Zorko iced up on the bench, the Lions suddenly looked vulnerable.
The Bulldogs’ midfield enjoyed a purple patch and their forwards cashed in.
Marcus Bontempelli was huge for the victors while Jack Macrae was also a prolific ball winner.
They kicked the next four goals and at the final change the margin was 17 points.
The Lions needed someone to step up and stop the onslaught — and it was Hipwood with two crucial final-quarter goals that gave the home side the breathing space it needed to secure the victory.