The Brisbane Lions will be looking to bounce back in a big way when they host St Kilda at the Gabba this Saturday night.
It’ll be the second straight week the Lions will face off against a Top 8 side, having narrowly lost to Fremantle last week at Optus Stadium.
Last Time We Met
It was a bittersweet affair last time the Lions met St Kilda.
In Dayne Zorko’s 200th game, Brisbane were overrun by a rampant Saints outfit, going down by 32-points at Metricon Stadium.
Zorko led the way for the Lions, kicking thee goals and the only multiple goalkicker for the home side, while Lachie Neale racked up 31 disposals and 9 clearances.
The night was soured further when key forward Eric Hipwood went down with an ACL injury that ruled him out for 10 months.
For St Kilda, Jack Steele was best-on-ground with 32 disposals, two goals and seven tackles while Max King led the way on the scoreboard with three majors.
Key Match Ups
Harris Andrews vs Max King
Despite the outside noise, Harris Andrews is having a better season than many would have you believe.
Sitting above-average in intercept marks, spoils and sits in the elite category for contested defensive one-on-ones, a category in which he leads the rest of the competition.
The Brisbane Vice-Captain is set to have his hands full against live-wire, Max King however, and will be keen to silence any doubters with a good performance.
King currently sits fourth in the Coleman Medal race with 32 majors and is getting plenty of opportunity, sitting second in the competition for most shots at goal.
At their best, both Andrews and King are incredibly damaging. It sets up for a critical contest on Saturday night.
Oscar McInerney vs Paddy Ryder & Rowan Marshall
Oscar McInerney will be tasked with the mighty task of rucking one-out against Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall on Saturday night.
Joe Daniher’s return from a shoulder injury has forced Chris Fagan to omit Darcy Fort from the Lions’ 22 after rucking alongside the ‘Big O’ through all 12 games to date.
For most, the challenge of rucking against arguably the most damaging ruck pairing in the competition may be daunting, but Fagan has backed McInerney to hold his own.
“We played that way for a big chunk of last year and did so pretty successfully I might add when those three boys were in the team together with Oscar.”
While Daniher offered ruck relief last season, Fagan said McInerney would get help from all three of the Lions’ tall forwards.
It's a Big Week For...
Dan McStay
McStay is set to become a Brisbane Lions Life Member when he runs out for game 150 this Saturday night.
The 26-year-old will head into the game in a completely different light to that of the one he has spent most of his career.
The key forward is one of Brisbane's most important players and one of the competition’s most in-form forwards.
Speaking on his milestone, McStay said he's grateful for the opportunity.
"Getting drafted, your goal is to just play one game so to be able to achieve 150 is pretty special," he said.
"My family have put in the hard yards for me. All their trips to Brisbane and the sacrifices they've made, this one definitely goes to them and I just can't wait to get out there and make them proud.
The milestone man will line up alongside Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood for the first time since Round 17 last year.
