Pearce Hanley said post-game that the Brisbane Lions were comprehensively beaten in stoppages, and the match stats would agree.
Greater Western Sydney won almost twice as many stoppages (37-20), and also smashed the Lions in clearances 52-30.
MOZZIE SQUAD STILL BUZZING
The Lions’ ‘Mozzie Squad’ – Lewy Taylor, Dayne Zorko and Josh Green – continued their collective good form by contributing seven of the team’s 12 goals last Saturday night.
Taylor was the pick of the bunch with 19 disposals and three goals, while milestone man Zorko also chimed in with three goals from limited opportunities.
Green, meanwhile, had his quietest game for a month with just eight possessions and one goal.
HANLEY HITS FORM
Pearce Hanley has been back to his best in the past couple of weeks, and along with Lewy Taylor, was probably the Lions’ best player against the Giants.
Hanley did his best to spark his side into action with a team-high 28 disposals, nine marks, and two goals assists, however very few seemed to follow his lead.
MARTIN VERSUS MUMMY
Shane Mumford was one of the key players in GWS’ historic win over the Lions, but Stefan Martin once again gave a valuable contest against the 105kg Giant.
With Daniel Merrett a late withdrawal due to illness, Martin had an even greater responsibility in the ruck, with Michael Close forced to lend a hand at times in just his fifth AFL match.
The 27-year-old finished with more disposals (16-13), marks (4-2), and clearances (4-2) than Mumford, and only marginally less hitouts (28-36) and tackles (4-5).
BROWN EYES OFF 600
Before Jonathan Brown was subbed out with that much talked about concussion, the Lions spearhead had booted two goals – enough to move into equal 31st position on the all-time VFL/AFL goal-kickers list.
Brown has now kicked a career total of 594, which moves him ahead of former Footscray and Melbourne forward Kelvin Templeton (593 goals) on the list, and equal with St Kilda centre half-forward Stewart Loewe.
Although his playing future remains somewhat clouded at the moment, Brown remains just six goals shy of the 600-goal milestone – a target that will no doubt be in the big man’s sights.
GOAL FOR GARDINER
It took just eight games for Darcy Gardiner to kick the first goal of his career, which is quite impressive considering he has played the majority of his time down back this season.
Gardiner’s goal leaves just Nick Robertson and Sam Michael as the only current Lions players to have played a senior match and not yet kicked a goal.
Mind you, Robertson and Michael have played just six and three games respectively, so can’t be blamed too much for not having split the big sticks just yet.
ROCKY KEPT QUIET.
Tom Rockliff has been one of the most consistent performers for the Brisbane Lions this season and would be among the fancies for the Merrett-Murray Medal, but the Vice-Captain was well held against the Giants.
In fact, Rockliff’s return of 75 AFL Fantasy points was his lowest for the season.
That said, he was far from the Lions’ worst, and still managed to find 19 disposals (the fifth most for the team), effect a team-high six clearances, and lay an equal team-high five tackles.
AFL FANTASY TOP FIVE
1. Pearce Hanley – 113 points
2. Jack Redden – 103 points
3. Stefan Martin – 100 points
4. Marco Paparone – 90 points
5. Lewy Taylor – 83 points
WHO WAS BEST?
Afl.com.au listed Taylor, Hanley, Zorko, Redden and Paparone as the Lions’ best, but who do YOU think were the team’s three best players?
Vote now online for the Club Player of the Year
