Sunday’s exciting victory over Essendon was a reward for the effort the team has been putting in said Brisbane Lions Ruck and Midfield Coach Ben Hudson.
“It was terrific. Probably the most excited was Fages [Chris Fagan] after the siren,” Hudson said.
“It’s getting a bit of reward for our effort now. We’ve had a good last month of footy and it’s starting to show.”
Essendon dominated the first quarter and moved the ball with ease around the ground.
The Lions made changes at quarter time and began to apply much more pressure in the second quarter, holding Essendon goalless for 25 minutes.
“It was going back to what our game plan was, and that was to bring the pressure which we didn’t do in the first quarter, which allowed Essendon to control the ball and get it out of their back half fairly easily,” Hudson said.
“In the second quarter we really brought the pressure and were able to cause some forward half turnovers and get back in the game.”
Despite their collective youth, the Lions showed enormous composure and poise late in the game when the result was in the balance.
“I was impressed with all 22 players. Rhys Mathieson and Jarrod Berry played a terrific role late in the game,” Hudson said.
“Our leaders stepped up: Stef Martin, Rocky [Rockliff] and Zorks [Zorko].
“We were able to get back into the game on the back of winning contested ball and clearances numbers.”
In response to the #AskLionsCoach fan question of the week, Hudson said there was only a slim chance of Daniel Rich moving into the midfield while Dayne Beams is out injured.
Any thoughts of Daniel rich going into the midfield while beams is out? #asklionscoach
— sharon cold ❄️ (@coldshar) July 3, 2017
“I think Richy has really established himself on the halfback flank, but in the past he has been able to play in the midfield,” said Hudson.
“With his run and carry and his deadly left foot he’s certainly an option, although I think Beamsy [Beams] would be a bit flat if he stole his thunder so he probably wouldn’t let him in there.”
If you’ve got a question you would like answered on the Coaches Wrap, head over to our Twitter every Monday night at 7.30pm and use the hashtag #AskLionsCoach.
