FOUR YEARS IN THE MAKING

[Chook 15,023]

If you watched him closely, you'd see he's afraid of messing up when he gets his hands on the ball (which he's doing a whole lot more now). Hence it's like a hot potato to him. This will change as he gains confidence and experience. I think it's great that Bailey is giving Watts so much game time. He obviously sees his potential.

I'm looking forward immensely to watching Watts play more on instinct. That'll come with experience and confidence. Now I feel that he's thinking just a bit much about where and how to dispose, and the game doesn't allow the time for that.

I agree. I think when he gets it, he's still thinking "oh, [censored]! I'm in the AFL." Consequently, he has to think about things he's done naturally for years. When he becomes more confident and relaxed, everything will just flow and those errors we see from time to time will become less frequent.

[heartbeatstrue 57]

I agree. I think when he gets it, he's still thinking "oh, [censored]! I'm in the AFL." Consequently, he has to think about things he's done naturally for years. When he becomes more confident and relaxed, everything will just flow and those errors we see from time to time will become less frequent.

Spot on, well said. You can actually see the "oh, [censored]! I'm in the AFL" going through his brain!

In years to come, we'll look back on these early days and laugh. I'm confident Watts is going to be a huge success, like you say.

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

Lucky for us that Green goaled late in the 3rd to extend our lead to 20 points. The tackle on Green was excellent I thought, and was surprised to see Green get a free. The replays showed the Lions' player shoving his head hard into the ground after his tackle. I reckon that one act probably saved us and cost the Lions the game. Whoever the player was (it was over the other side, I didn't pick up on who), he desrves a roast from Voss. After such a good tackle it was very undisciplined. I loved the fact he did it to Green, safest bet for us from deep on the boudary in that pocket.

In the last quarter, both sides were out of legs. The crowd seemed to lift the Lions a bit, and we were defending for all we were worth. Thankful for such a great backline. I thought our forwards simply went missing in that last qtr. Jurrah slipping everywhere, no defensive pressure up forward, too many Demons standing back leaving one player (eg. Watts) to deal with 2 or 3 Lion defenders. We never looked like scoring until another undisciplined shove on Dunny after he marked gave him that 50m penalty. Again, the Lions picked the right man in Dunn to give a shot from 50m out. Game over.

Rockliff both times.

[old dee 23,998]

3. Sylvia

2. Scully

1. Jamar

From the ABC radio team.

I am in Brisbane went to the game and I think ABC is very close that three is how I saw it

[old dee 23,998]

A good question. A number of things, I think. Firstly it rained quite heavy making the ground and ball very slippery. Also good coaching by Voss - after the break the Lions played tight man-on-man. That and the slippery conditions made a very ugly, scrappy quarter. We couldn't get any run (slipping and very effectively negated by the close checking). As often happens in these circumstances, the team that's got the game on their terms (Brisbane) got the lucky breaks and kicked 3 in a row. That gave them a huge momentum swing.

Lucky for us that Green goaled late in the 3rd to extend our lead to 20 points. The tackle on Green was excellent I thought, and was surprised to see Green get a free. The replays showed the Lions' player shoving his head hard into the ground after his tackle. I reckon that one act probably saved us and cost the Lions the game. Whoever the player was (it was over the other side, I didn't pick up on who), he desrves a roast from Voss. After such a good tackle it was very undisciplined. I loved the fact he did it to Green, safest bet for us from deep on the boudary in that pocket.

In the last quarter, both sides were out of legs. The crowd seemed to lift the Lions a bit, and we were defending for all we were worth. Thankful for such a great backline. I thought our forwards simply went missing in that last qtr. Jurrah slipping everywhere, no defensive pressure up forward, too many Demons standing back leaving one player (eg. Watts) to deal with 2 or 3 Lion defenders. We never looked like scoring until another undisciplined shove on Dunny after he marked gave him that 50m penalty. Again, the Lions picked the right man in Dunn to give a shot from 50m out. Game over.

It was a gutsy win by the Dees - we won by playing only one half, which says something in itself.

We needed to come out in the last qtr and take the game on, break the defensive man-on-man tactics by running and delivering with precision by foot and hand. The slippery conditions and fact that we seemed totally spent meant it didn't happen. But we won by sheer guts and some good luck.

The guy on the bus back to the city sang "grand old flag" at least 40 times. Pretty gutsy passionate performance from our supporters too.

"Heartsbeattrue" I went to the game tonight with my brother ( supports the Lions ) and said to him when they pushed Dunn in the back " you just lost the game he is probably the Dees best kick from 50" and guess what!

Go Dees!

[jnrmac 20,271]

Dunn "is probably the Dees best kick from 50" and guess what!

Go Dees!

I'll take Sylvia.

[old dee 23,998]

so what happened after half time?

At half time Brisbane took FEV off and it was like the lions said thank god he is out of the way.

All of a sudden the forward line came to life and it was a battle of the back lines.

Who would crack first?

The dees held them out, if only our forwards were as good.

LJ has to go back to Casey did not earn his spot tonight.

IMO so should Bennell.

there are the spots for Maric and Trengove and I thought Aussie was at best average so he is out for moloney.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Watts keeps getting better and either he or McKenzie could get the Rising Star this week. (surely Jordie). I wish that he would have a crack at the goals himself at times. His first option seems to always be to look to give it off. He does not seem to be confident in himself at kicking goals. Maybe due to a couple of ordinary efforts in recent games.

Dons fans are saying Hurley had a great game 30 possessions and about 13 marks a lot of them contested.

Jordie had 17 contested possessions.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Watts' game came with the good and the bad. I've been hoping he could either kick a bag of four, OR rack up 25+ touches and play 4 quarters.

He did the latter, but wet weather is not his friend. I was sitting with 2-dozen dees fans, and the room was making a LOT of noise whenever he went near it. And not a lot of it was good.

Personally I'd LIKE to see Jordie get the nod. But Hurley will get it. And rightly so. If Watts got 30 touches playing HBF with 13 marks we'd be making a big deal about it too.

What's of more concern to me is Jurrah. Will he be dropped? He was pantsed tonight. And 2 players have to make way for Moloney and Trengove.

The other, I think, might be PJ as the Toigs don't have rucks.

[highroller 112]

A worry is Jurrah and Wonna both together in the forward line - the good is amazing and the bad can be horrible they play in spurts and i think we missed Trenners down there tonight

Also dont flame me down but should J-Mac be in the 1's anymore?

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,283]

Jurrah for mine was very poor. I know we have unrealistic expectations from a guy who has played a dozen games, but he kept losing his feet and not making any serious defensive efforts. He can only be used as a forward decoy for so long. If he has another stinker next week I'd drop him to find touch with Casey.

I would not be waiting another week. His effort was disgraceful. Could not hold his feet, no chase, no second efforts, no first efforts for that matter, one handed marking attempts.

We need to ensure he is aware that performance is not good enough and should drop him for next weeks game.

[Gorgoroth 13,184]

High roller, got to give Jnr some slack.

He has just come back from injury, takes a week or two to get back into it and in wet, humid conditions is not an ideal way to come back.

[Vagg 2,449]

High roller, got to give Jnr some slack.

He has just come back from injury, takes a week or two to get back into it and in wet, humid conditions is not an ideal way to come back.

Also, think he was tagging Black for much of the time, and Black didn't seem to be his damaging self, either! So, not sure Junior was all that bad.

I was at the game. Was wonderful to leave the Gabba winners for a change. But, man it was a scrappy affair! Nothing like the free flowing spectacle we saw last week. But, credit to the boys for scrapping it out. Brisbane are renowned for their big second half come-backs, especially at the Gabba. So, to hang in their and take away the points was pleasing -- even though there were some nervous moments as the gap grew closer near the end! Such relief when the final siren sounded!

Have to admit Jurrah is a frustration. We all know what he is capable of. Was so looking forward to him exploding last night. Maybe next week!

Go Dees!

[titan_uranus 25,174]

Jurrah and Bennell are the two I want to see improvement from next week. That is, of course, assuming Bennell holds his spot over Trengove, Moloney and/or Maric.

Both these two seem to try to do the extraordinary a little too often. Bennell goes missing for long period, Jurrah probably still isn't fully at ease with his shoulder and is still adjusting to AFL football but there's a lot of room for improvement in these two, and if we get these guys to help Watts, Green, Dunn and Wonaeamirri out we'll smash Richmond's defence.

[MO FINE 171]

At 12:42 seconds to go in the final quarter Aaron Davey sent a bullet like pass to Jack Watts that hit him on the chest but he fumbled it. His Brisbane opponent barreled into his back but no decision. Play in.

I reckon a goal at that time would have snuffed out the Brisbane revival IMO.

[Grandson of a gun 276]

Bottom line. Great win in the development of this team.

LJ disappointing. I think they will persist with him next week.

Bennell also however i am reluctant to drop him based on last night alone.

[P-man 13,366]

The only major disappointment for me was Jurrah. His defensive efforts are becoming a major issue. Great teams in the modern game apply intense defensive pressure in their forward 50 and he's simply not pulling his weight. He's a star but needs a kick up the arse on this facet of his game.

[P-man 13,366]

Also dont flame me down but should J-Mac be in the 1's anymore?

The temptation to flame you for that one is great, I must say.

[speed demon 818]

I'm not surprised Jurrah was disappointing last night. How many times would he have played in slippery conditions? During his years in Central Australia probably zero. Ofcourse, that doesn't excuse his lack of defensive pressure and if he is to be dropped it should be for this reason.

Bennell on the other hand has greatly improved his work rate. Even when he's not getting the ball he's still been contributing with chasing and tackling. Eventually he'll put it all together and be a very good player but needs more games at AFL level to get there.

[old dee 23,998]

A worry is Jurrah and Wonna both together in the forward line - the good is amazing and the bad can be horrible they play in spurts and i think we missed Trenners down there tonight

Also dont flame me down but should J-Mac be in the 1's anymore?

I was up in Brisbane last night, I Agree with you on LJ and Aussie, I think that should be at Casey next week we have three guys who should in next week i.e. Trengove, Maric and Moloney ( if fit ).

However I think you are being very tough on Mcdonald,

- He was far from the worst last night and he has been out for a few weeks

- He is our Captain

- The MFC owes him every game till the end of 2010, he has given every ounce of his being to us over the last few years and played well.

Cut him at least 4 weeks slack

[Alf Stewart 73]

Why is everyone looking for problems with Jack? He is coming along very nicely thank you!

[Freddy Fuschia 764]

Four years in the making and it's been a long four years on top of all that with very few wins. Indeed, we've won as many games in the last month as we did in all of 2008.

We have a lot to look forward to but it's good that we can enjoy this moment as well.

[Dr. Mubutu 866]

Tell you what, it was good to see the Brisbane fans actively hating some of our players!

Garland and Dunn were most hated in the section I was in, but geez they hated the umpires more.

The boos at 3/4 time were something to behold.

[sideshowbob 0]

At 12:42 seconds to go in the final quarter Aaron Davey sent a bullet like pass to Jack Watts that hit him on the chest but he fumbled it. His Brisbane opponent barreled into his back but no decision. Play in.

I reckon a goal at that time would have snuffed out the Brisbane revival IMO.

Didn't look as though there was a problem with that one actually. I'm a Watts fan and even I admit he just dropped it.