There was a bit to like about the Brisbane Lions on Thursday night, says AFL writer Ashley Brown.
Here's what Brown had to say:
There was a bit to like about the Brisbane Lions on Thursday night.
The team that leaked goals in 2016 – this was the first on-field aspect that new coach Chris Fagan was keen to address – conceded just seven goals to the Western Bulldogs.
Yes, this was a Bulldogs outfit containing just nine premiership players from last season, but the Lions were much better defensively across the ground. How hard midfielders and forwards are prepared to work when they don't have the ball is an indicator of a team's mindset and on that front, Fagan should be pleased.
The Lions figure in nobody's top-eight calculations for this year. They are coming from miles behind. But one senior AFL coach told AFL.com.au this summer that there is "low-hanging fruit" this year in Brisbane and believes there is scope for rapid improvement.
Match Report: v Western Bulldogs
Having new skipper Dayne Beams back in the side helps considerably and having Tom Rockliff re-energised and re-engaged is another bonus. What the Lions also have are some nicely developing talls at both ends.
Key defender Harris Andrews has just turned 20 but is in the leadership group, while at the other end, Eric Hipwood, Michael Close, Jonathan Freeman and Daniel McStay have, at various stages, shown a bit. Hipwood was particularly lively the other night.
They were baby steps for the Lions, who are so early into their journey that they're not even sure what signifies real progress for the year. But you'd hazard a guess that coming to Melbourne and knocking off the Bulldogs, even at half-strength, even at the beginning of March, is a start.
Liked the look of:
AFL Writer Peter Ryan has named Lions Defender Harris Andrews as the player that most caught his eye:
The 20-year-old gangly defender looks to have all the tools to turn into a quality key defender. On Thursday night he gathered 24 possessions, intercepted the opposition on six occasions and used his long arms to spoil the ball 11 times. He has drawn inevitable comparison to Essendon great Dustin Fletcher in the way he plays and he certainly carries the same calmness under pressure that the 400-game champion showed. The most impressive part was the manner in which Andrews fought to address a mistake he made late in the final quarter when it looked as though he had turned the ball over. It showed his competitiveness and poise.
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