LIONS POUNCE by Meggs

[Demonland 64,409]

Early Sunday afternoon Meggs was coffeeing in Mornington and witnessing hail, thunder, lightning, rain, wind and feeling the freezing temperatures and knowing all these elements were heading towards Casey Fields. 

Oh dear. 

The Brisbane coach had said during the week that he wanted the game moved to Marvel because “if you're going to have two of the better teams in the comp playing, (it warrants) a venue and deck that suits the occasion”. 

However, Casey Fields was uncharacteristically windless for the entire game.  A wet deck for sure, but given the amount of rain, the playing surface looked to be in excellent condition.

From a selection point of view, Narrm was missing its omnipotent key forward, Tayla Harris, and improving utility Jordan Ivey, both girls having earned 1-week suspensions.  Maddi Gay returns to halfback, Sinead Goldrick is still 1-2 weeks away and Sammie Johnson was omitted. 

The Narrm team also contained two debutants in young tall forward, father-daughter selection Georgia Campbell and Irish recruit Blaithin Mackin, who apparently chose us over Fremantle. 

It was also a milestone game for fan favourite Lily Mithen, who was playing game number 50.  ‘Lil you are a Dee-star!

For the Lions, Brisbane was missing Dee Heslop due to AFLW concussion protocols, with veteran defender Sharni Webb her replacement.

This match was a genuine top of the table clash with the winner poised for outright flag favouritism. 

The Demons have won the last 3 contest by a total of only 9 points (2 points, 3 and 4). 

Expectations were high for a close game. 

Brisbane stands undefeated atop the AFLW ladder with a percentage of 401.8. 

For Mick Stinear, it was about the midfield contest, maintaining 4-quarter pressure and somehow controlling the powerful Brisbane forward line. 

Q1

Narrm started the game well.  Our pressure and ball movement had us on top, early.

Tyla Hanks was leading our midfield and Lily Mithen was up and about in her milestone game.

Eden Zanker, has enormous potential as a player but some weeks she fails to make an impact.  So, it was great to see her opening proceedings by winning a contested footy at half forward and breaking away and kicking an excellent goal on the run.  Her goal number 4 in Season 7.

Kate Hore, who was great all game, both forward and through the middle, snapped a nice goal from a stoppage courtesy of a Lauren Pearce ruck contest and then moments later manufactured a wonderful snap for her second goal and Narrm’s third.

The rest of the quarter saw Brisbane slowly ratchet up their pressure and eventually Wardlaw toe-poked a goal from a deep entry. 

Naarm winning the quarter but it’s tight. 

Dees 3.1 to Brisbane 1.0.

Q2

Momentum is now with the Lions.  Cathy Svarc is so dynamic, causing turnovers and creating pressure.  The Lions midfielders and backs are now on top. 

Brisbane has several chances to score this quarter including another deep entry which results in a second toe-poke goal from Wardlaw. 

Heath who has been in everything goes off for some treatment for a corkie. 

Brisbane’s Ally Anderson misses a gettable shot and then teammate Ruby Svarc comically bounces ball on the wet deck and loses it when a certain goal awaited. 

Gee our backline is under the pump.  Thankfully Maddie Gay is back this week and playing well. 

Mackin on debut is looking like she belongs out there.  She’s courageous, athletic and possesses good ball skills. 

Late in the quarter Mithen, from the 50-metre line, has a chance to hit up Hanks on a lead but her kick is a floater and defended safely by Brisbane. 

A scoreless quarter for the Dees.

Narrm 3.1 to Brisbane 2.3.

Q3

Brisbane continues its first-half momentum with a number of forward entries.  Ally Anderson has a shot, but it’s marked by Narrm in the goal square.  She then has another snap but this one is rushed for a point. 

It’s noticeable that we have a lot of quiet players today.  Bannan, Wilson, Chaplin, first-gamer Campbell all finding it tough out there.

Halfway through the quarter Narrm starts to wrest control and Hanks cleverly intercepts a defensive pass and kicks truly from 35 metres for our fourth goal.  We are in this game.

Next Daisy kicks long but the ball bounces to the right for a point.  Brisbane then moves the ball the length of the ground where somehow Zimmie Farquharson in the goal square kicks it off the ground off the bottom of her boot for a goal.  That’s 3 toe-pokes from Brisbane.

At three-quarter time it’s Narrm 4.3 to Brisbane 3.4.

Q4

Unfortunately, the last quarter is disappointing for Narrm fans.  Brisbane is really finding their strength in the contest and have a couple of excellent highlights.  

A Birch clearing kick only goes as far as Ruby Svarc who plays on and kicks to Dakota Davison who, instead on marking, cleverly taps it over her head to Conway.  She then runs into an open goal and gives the lead to Brisbane.

Moments later a high ball into Brisbane’s forward line is roved well by Hodder for another goal.

The final goal of the match sees Ruby Svarc cleverly steal a Daisy Pearce handpass, intended for Paxy, and then runs on and kicks a nice goal.

Hanks, Paxman, Hore, Purcell and Mithen keep giving it their all until the final siren but it’s to no avail.

Full time it’s Narrm 27, Brisbane 42.

The Coaches and next week:-

Coach Mick Stinear said Brisbane are a good side who outworked and overpowered us.  He says we need to improve our skill execution and delivery into the forward half.

Craig Starcevich was really pleasing to get the win against a genuine contender.  After playing lower rated teams in the first 3 rounds, Brisbane wasn’t quite ready for the early heat brought by Narrm.  He was pleased with how his team fought back to even terms and was then able to run away with it in the last term.

The Lions are now 2 and 2 at Casey

Next week we play Carlton at Ikon Park on Friday at 7:30pm.  We recently defeated them in a pre-season practice match at the MCG so we should know how to win this one. 

Brisbane returns to Melbourne next week to play the Tigers at Punt Road.

Go Dees !

NARRM 3.1.19 3.1.19 4.2.26 4.3.27

BRISBANE 1.0.6 2.3.15 3.4.22 6.6.42

GOALS

NARRM Hore 2 Hanks Zanker

BRISBANE Wardlaw 2 Conway Farquharson Hodder R Svarc

BEST

NARRM Hanks Mithen L Pearce Gay

BRISBANE Anderson C Svarc Grider Conway

INJURIES

NARRM Nil

BRISBANE Nil

REPORTS

NARRM Nil

BRISBANE Nil Nil

CROWD 757 at the Casey Fields