LIONS’ BUDDY BIG CHALLENGE
LIONS backman Marcus Adams has called for a collective effort from Brisbane’s in-form defensive unit to stop Swans star Lance Franklin on Sunday.
Nullifying the threat of ‘Buddy’ will send the Lions a long way towards winning at the SCG for the first time in 13 years.
“He’s a superstar – probably one of the best players ever,” Adams said.
“He’s just been unbelievable. His ability to get up and down the ground, he’s obviously good overhead, he’s strong, he’s fit, fast and has great game sense and great skills – he’s a tough one to stop.
“We’ve got to try to work as a bit of a group to minimise his tool-set and take a few things off him.”
Adams was pleased with the way’s Brisbane’s defence had performed this season, particularly in last weekend’s 52-point QClash victory over the Gold Coast Suns.
“Defensively our pressure and hunt was probably better on the weekend. It’s probably the best that it’s been this year,” he said.
That “pressure and hunt” has included Adams’ knack of intercepting marks. He is averaging more than four intercepts per match.
“I think it’s just been lucky really,” a modest Adams said.
“It’s fallen in my lap a little bit to start, which is nice to get the ball rolling a bit personally, but I don’t know if that’ll continue on that line or if that’s just how it’s gone early days.”
The Lions will hope it continues on Sunday at a venue that hasn’t been kind to them and former Western Bulldog Adams.
“We haven’t won down there since 2009, and I only played there a couple of times with the Dogs, and they were pretty heavy losses as well,” Adams said. “It’s a big challenge for us. “We need to slow down the ball movement and try to stop them from getting their uncontested marks and being able to get their ball movement going how they like to get it going.”