Big challenge awaits Lions
BRISBANE teenager Alex Witherden says the Lions must nullify the influence of Geelong’s star-powered midfield on Saturday, but not at the expense of shutting down his side’s emerging talent across the ground.
The Lions have won three of their past four games and have become one of the most exciting sides in the AFL with their fast-ball movement.
But Brisbane are aware of how dangerous the Cats can be if they are not held to account, and Witherden said the task of stopping them in their tracks was going to be an immense challenge.
“We have obviously had a good look at Geelong already this week and we understand they’re a pretty high-quality team,” he said.
“When you let them get things on their terms they are extremely difficult to beat, especially down in Geelong.
“They have got that star power of (Patrick) Dangerfield, (Gary) Ablett, (Joel) Selwood and (Tim) Kelly, who seems to have taken the football world by storm, as well as Tom Hawkins who kicked seven goals (against Melbourne).
“It’s important to shut all of those guys down and make sure they can’t have a huge influence on the game because they’re are all such quality players.”
Brisbane fell just five points short of Adelaide last week and after Geelong, they will face North Melbourne, Collingwood and West Coast, as well as Gold Coast.