The Lions’ ability to execute forward 50 defensive pressure was evident on Saturday against Adelaide at Noarlunga, in the last of the Lions’ JLT Community Series matches.
Brisbane led the Crows for tackles inside 50 which Rucks and Forwards Coach Ben Hudson said has been a focus this INC pre-season.
“The mindset for the forwards has always got to be defensive and that’s what the good sides do,” Rucks and Forwards Coach Ben Hudson told LionsTV.
“If you look at Adelaide’s forward line, they applied plenty of pressure and off the back of that they get the reward with goals.”
Hudson said it was important that the Lions developed varying options inside 50 with the expectation that all players have the ability to impact the scoreboard.
“Multiple goal kickers is key,” said Hudson.
“We’re not relying on one or two key forwards – (it’s important that our) midfielders and forwards can kick goals and even a couple of defenders can sneak forward.”
Hudson also expects Stefan Martin to continue his rise.
Supergoals are easy when Stefan Martin's boot is on the end of them. #JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/gSbGtXwpeL
— AFL (@AFL) March 11, 2017
Martin was brilliant around the ground, racking up plenty of disposals and dominating his ruck duels with the Crows’ Sam Jacobs.
He capped his game off with a supergoal and also recorded 41 hit-outs and 19 disposals in a personal duel with Jacobs, who had 34 hitouts.
“Stef was good. Prior to that he was probably a little bit rusty and needed those first few games of the JLT to get going but to his credit he bounced back and it was a really good battle against a quality opposition.”