Lions loving how a plan came together
ERIC Hipwood and Dan McStay added some footage to their personal highlight reels on Saturday night that no one may ever see.
There’s footage that makes the various footy shows and news bulletins, then there are those that coaches love.
The main goal kickers from Brisbane’s stunning upset of West Coast, Charlie Cameron and Lincoln McCarthy, provided both with electric performances that has the footy world talking.
But it was also a win based on a plan and there may be some clips that you won’t see on your TV at home that say the most about how a five-game winning team from 2018 could knock over the reigning premiers in round one the following year.
Hipwood and McStay were significant contributors to the victory, even if the official stats say they combined for just 19 possessions and four marks.
The key to West Coast’s premiership success was their intercept marking, which is why three-time All-Australian Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass are considered such crucial players.
In the grand final the pair pulled down 19 marks between them to deny the Pies. At the Gabba on Saturday night it was just eight.
Cameron was hot property after his stunning three-goal game but he refused to bask in the glory, saying the victory was based on a solid plan and the ability of McStay and Hipwood to implement it.
Hipwood worked tirelessly, and cleverly, to engage McGovern so that he was unable to sit in the hole about 30m out from goal and float across to cut off Brisbane forward-50 entries. McStay was asked to hurl himself at every high ball, split the pack open and bring the ball to ground.
In order for the Lions to win, the Eagles weren’t to be allowed marks in their defensive half.
“We knew they were a pretty good contested marking side and our plan was to take that away,” Cameron said.
“Us forwards recognise what they did for us and the team. McStay’s efforts in the air, to get it to the ground, that gave us smaller forwards our opportunities.
“Hippy had McGovern and his selflessness to play a role and drag him away was also important to the win. I don’t think McGovern was able to have the influence he wanted to have.”
Coach Chris Fagan said he had suspected last week his young side were daring to dream of an upset.
“We went in knowing we could win it,” Cameron said. “The belief came from knowing our plan could stop their game.We knew it would stand up on the night.” GOALS: Geelong: Ablett 2, Hawkins 2, Duncan, Selwood, Dahlhaus, Dangerfield, Constable, Parfitt. Coll: Elliott 3, De Goey 2, Cox, Treloar, Beams, Brown. BEST: Geelong: Kelly, Stewart, Dangerfield, Dahlhaus, Ablett, Selwood. Coll: Treloar, Moore, Pendlebury, Phillips, Elliott, Sidebottom. CROWD 78,017 at the MCG. GOALS: Port: Westhoff 5, Butters 2, Marshall, Duursma, Ebert, Gray, Boak. Melbourne: Melksham 2, T.McDonald, Brayshaw, Fritsch, Sparrow, Weideman, Petracca, Jones. BEST: Port: Westhoff, Rockliff, Gray, Boak, Burton, Ebert. Melbourne: Salem, Harmes, Melksham, Hibberd, Brayshaw, Oliver. CROWD 38,866 at the MCG. GOALS: Hawthorn: Cousins 2, Worpel 2, McEvoy 2, O'Meara 2, Gunston, Smith, Shiels, Breust. Adelaide: B.Crouch 2, Betts 2, Sloane, M.Crouch, Jones. BEST: Hawthorn: Worpel, Sicily, McEvoy, O'Meara, Gunston, Hardwick, Stratton. Adelaide: Sloane, M.Crouch, Keath, B.Crouch. CROWD 50,180 at Adelaide Oval.