Wiseblood

The only thing I don't like so far is our pressure in the forward line when he ball hits the deck. They have run it out far too easily this term. We need to be better with this.

That's an understatement. 17 frees to 10 their way.

Even then, Rayner runs to play on and stop... no play on call.

What's the time frame for that? If it's a decent length then, to me, that will be the only negative for the day. A big one though for sure.

And who knows what changed. Did the Lions just surprise us a little out of the blocks? Did we try and few things early, then tweaked them in the second term? That stuff normally happens in JLT.

Another positive from that term was our tackline pressure. I think the stat towards the end was roughly 20-5 our way. Add to the fact that we had more of the ball as well and that translates to much, much better pressure than the first term.

Harmes out of the game for the day. I don't know if it's precautionary or if it's a little more serious than that, but they just showed him in the rooms in his polo top.

Took us some time, and we're putting up with some lopsided umpiring, but even with us not at our best we're still well and truly in the game. Petracca and J Smith were the standouts that term. I feel like Trac is switched on this year and ready to take some games apart on his own. I think the new rules will take us a little time to adjust to, but I think our backline clicked more in that term and we set up our wall across half back quite well. Zero worries from me so far. Lions having a red hot dip but the cream for us is beginning to rise to the top.

How the HELL was that not holding the ball? Ridiculous.

He is a calm head out there for us. He, Salem and Hibberd can give us some great run and ball use from half back. Feels like it's taken a term and a half for them to click.

That non decision on Hodge was a shocker. Picked it up, got tackled, let the ball go... nothing. It's reflective of the umpiring so far today.

Hasn't done anything dumb today in my book. Looks terrific out there across half forward.

We are two points down. But, apparently, our backline is trash, they're running rings around us and we are stinking it up completely. Can't wait to see when we're on, we'll win games by 150 points.

Joel Smith has had a positive second term. Great goal on the run and some good pressure forward. Anyone think he is a legit chance for Round 1?

Brisbane playing out of their skin and we are average... yet we're just 8 points down. Goes to show how much better we can be, and how good we are even when we're not on.

Gawny starting to hit his straps in this term. Also liked AVBs game so far as well.

Just after it the Lions turned it over, and what happened? Another ANB fumble. I'll put it down to it being pre season but sheesh, it hasnt been a pretty start. Umps have been awful as well.

Horrible injury for JKH. Looked in a lot of pain.

I backed him last week, but he missed a handball, slipped over etc. He had a bit of a mare early.

Lions taking this game very seriously. Dees taking it half arsed. Scoreline reflects it. Is it for four points? No. Just get through boys.

Good to see the Umps think it's netball again. Some things never change.

Spot on. Weideman will probably just pinch hit instead, although it's nice to have Keilty waiting in the wings if need be.

That's a promising sign for the young lad!

At the end of the day you would like to think we will put up a more consistent effort than last week, but I don't see a win or loss as that important. Being cherry ripe to blow Port off the MCG in Round 1 is what we are after.

No injuries, in both the Casey and Melbourne games, is all I'm after today. Result is irrelevant, although it's always nicer to win. Interested to see how the back line functions with the players we have coming back into the side. Lions will have a red hot crack so should be a good game to watch.