I sure hope it's that one, because although I already provided this season last rites in a fury-filled post-Power rage, we really would be done if we lose this game. Like totally. Seriously. Completely and utterly finished.
There's no reason why that should be the case though. Brisbane are pretty much the basket case they've been all through the ill-fated Voss era. Remember when he signed to become an assistant coach with us? Well, that was short lived because Matthews left the Lions and he took over the reigns. I remember feeling a little disappointed, if only because I was desperate for any positive news during those dark(ish) times. But upon reflection: PHEW! It's been madness at the Lions since he took control starting with the Fev. recruitment and ending with his...ending later this year (there I go again with premature pronouncements). We dodged a bullet.
Still, we can't take this lightly. We're both 2-4. They've beaten the mighty Suns and we the powerful Dogs, whilst both have preyed on the carcass of the Demons. So let's not get too arrogant (until after the victory at least).
Also, our recent record against the Lions is a little concerning. They have won 4 of the last 5 at the Gabba. I believe the last victory was in 2011 (too lazy to check) and Ernie's friend (eBERT) kicked an important late goal. Strange times. We did have a dominant period against the Lions in Brisbane in the early 2000s with the Juddas going nuts in 1 special victory. We need to restart that dominance beginning Saturday.
If (yes, I know big if) we can do what we did against the Dogs; good intensity, clean skills, accurate goal-kicking we should be able to win. Better talent, better coaching, better guernseys. But I'm not overly confidence given recent times.
In team news, the loss of Kerr (knee) is a huge blow. He's our best midfielder, he attracts the no. 1 tag and he has sublime kicking skills. Masten misses with the flu and Sinclair is omitted. Bad luck to Sinclair as he has been impressive in his handful of games. But Nic's back. Hmmm...apparently "Masten has been the Eagles’ leading ballwinner this season, averaging 28 disposals per game to sit among the league’s top ten". That must be one of the most irrelevant stats ever. Anyway, Signor Pink, aka Matt Rosa, comes in for his first game. Decent player Rosa and his availablity should make a few players fear their security in the team, which is never a bad thing. Also, Mark Hutchings will debut. I know little about him, but from what I've read he's a mature age player with good clearance work. We'll see. Finally, the Good Sheppard also comes in. He showed a bit last season and it's a big game for him to push his case for a regular spot. For the Lions...blah blah blah.
Brisbane
FB: Mitchell Golby, Daniel Merrett, Ashley McGrath
HB: Joel Patfull, Justin Clarke, Elliot Yeo
C: Jed Adcock, Brent Moloney, Pearce Hanley
HF: Dayne Zorko, Jonathan Brown, Joshua Green
FF: Rohan Bewick, Jordan Lisle, Ryan Lester
Fol: Matthew Leuenberger, Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden
Int: James Polkinghorne, Andrew Raines, Simon Black, Sam Mayes
In: Raines, Black, Lisle
Out: Aaron Cornelius, Billy Longer, Marco Paparone
West Coast
FB: Eric Mackenzie, Darren Glass, Will Schofield
HB: Shannon Hurn, Mitchell Brown, Brad Sheppard
C: Matt Rosa, Scott Selwood, Andrew Gaff
HF: Mark LeCras, Jack Darling, Sharrod Wellingham
FF: Josh Hill, Josh J. Kennedy, Nic Naitanui
Fol: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey
Int: Mark Hutchings, Ashley Smith, Bradd Dalziell, Jacob Brennan
In: Rosa, Hutchings, Sheppard
Out: Daniel Kerr, Chris Masten, Callum Sinclair
We can do this. It won't be easy, but we should be better than the Lions. We must be better...mustn't we?
I'll be tweeting a little throughout the game @misaneagle and posting on the FB, so pop by. Or don't. No pressure. More of a group hang than a date anyway. Except that I'll probably be the only one there...sigh.
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