The Brisbane Lions started Saturday night’s match against Collingwood in impressive form, tallying a huge 22 inside 50s in the first quarter.

22 inside 50s is the equal 10^th best return of any side in a quarter this season, and it came against a top four contender away from home.

After not winning a first quarter in the first 12 rounds of the season, the Lions have now won five out of their last seven first quarters.

However, as Chris Fagan mentioned post-match, the Lions didn’t take full advantage of this brilliant start.

“We had 22 inside 50s to (Collingwood’s) six and just managed to kick 3.4 (22),” Fagan said.

“It felt like we should have gotten a better return for our effort and that might’ve put on more scoreboard pressure, and that may have made the game turn out a little differently.”

Unfortunately for the Lions, they couldn’t continue their first quarter form for the rest of the game, only taking the ball inside 50 28 more times and having a further 11 scoring shots. 

Overall, the Lions scored on 36% of their entries while Collingwood found the going much easier, scoring at 57%.

The Lions’ final score of 11.7 (73) was their lowest since the bye and the 18 scoring shots in total was their second lowest of the season.

Collingwood dominated contested ball (+27) and clearances (+20) in the 31 point victory. 

Despite the Lions’ ball use being solid, the home side produced 37 forward half turnovers, the most an opposition side has had against the Lions this season.

One positive from the match and since the bye has been the Lions’ goalkicking accuracy, which has been at 55%, the best in the AFL. Pre-bye the Lions’ accuracy was 45%.

Against his former side, Dayne Beams led from the front with 33 disposals and a goal.  

Young defender Alex Witherden collected 30 touches in defence and had six rebound 50s. Veteran Luke Hodge was also strong down back and finished with 24 disposals. 

The anticipated ruck battle between Stef Martin (11 disposals, four clearances 24 hit outs, nine to advantage) and Brodie Grundy (13 disposals, seven clearances, 35 hit outs, 13 to advantage) didn’t disappoint.

With Darcy Gardiner ruled out of the match early with a dislocated shoulder, Harris Andrews (11 one percenters) and Josh Walker (three contested marks) both performed well. 

In his 50th match, Eric Hipwood kicked three goals and took three contested marks. 

Mitch Robinson kicked two goals and had 22 disposals, while young midfielder Jarrod Berry had eight inside 50s and three goal assists.