THE BRISBANE Lions' late season form reversal can be attributed to one major improvement – defence.
Coach Justin Leppitsch said a number of weeks ago that his young team's aim was to be as frugal as possible over the remaining weeks of the season.
Not only have they listened, but the injury-ravaged Lions have been able to carry it out.
In the past five weeks, the Lions have the second stingiest defence in the competition, conceding just 66 points a game.
That's one almighty turnaround from a team that is still ranked 16th in the competition for points conceded from 19 rounds.
Only the Sydney Swans – 65 a game – have given up less in the past five matches.
The Lions are also the only team to not concede more than 80 points in a single game in that stretch.
It's true, they haven't played the competition heavyweights, but amongst North Melbourne, Richmond, West Coast, Gold Coast and Melbourne, there was a mix of finals-bound and in-form teams to test the Lions.
Defensive coach Murray Davis said while it was too simplistic to simply laud the Lions’ back six, continuity in his defensive personnel has helped enormously.
"It's probably an overall team thing, an emphasis on being able to delay the opposition," Davis said.
"Having the ability to have the same blokes down there, they understand what guys' strengths are and build some good on-field relationships, which helps a lot.
"They have been a pretty resilient group … and been up to the challenges and met them head on. They're starting to be rewarded."
Alongside old heads Matt Maguire, Jed Adcock and Joel Patfull, youngsters Justin Clarke and Darcy Gardiner have thrived.
Gardiner has been a key ingredient, with the first-year defender winning this week's Rising Star nomination.
Davis was full of praise for the 18-year-old.
"It's his intent to make sure we're hard to score against. And that he's an individual that's hard to play on or hard to get a possession on," he said.
"He makes it a nightmare for the forwards."
Although just 12 games into his senior career, Gardiner has quickly forged a reputation as an uncompromising, rugged defender.
In his debut against Richmond in round five, he got into a scrap with Dustin Martin.
Three weeks later, after totally blanketing Jake Carlisle for four quarters, the Essendon forward called him "a little prick" for his verbal jousting.
Gardiner, as quiet as a mouse off the field, says he likes to play with an edge.
"I don't tend to start it, (but) if they want to say something, I'm happy to say something back," he said.
"Being a new player they (the older players) try to take advantage of you, so it's just important you don't let them think they're better than you – that you try and stand your ground.
"That's the type of person and player I am. Off the field I'm a bit quieter, but when I get on there it's different, it's a game."
Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting https://twitter.com/AFL_mikewhiting
