Even before Jarrad Waite’s undisciplined act gave the Lions the crucial advantage deep into the fourth quarter, when he pushed Tom Rockliff to the ground and gifted debutant Zac O’Brien a goal from in front of the sticks, he was having a night to forget. His inactivity hurt the Blues as they failed to punish their (11-plus) advantage in Inside-50s. With all due respect to Justin Clarke, who lined up against him for much of the night, a player of Waite’s ability should have been capable of creating more opportunities than he did. Just seven possessions and a lone goal (when the erratic Lions backline left him free just outside the goal square) was not an impact to be proud of, even before his late brain fade.
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2. Brownie’s big impact
Dermott Brereton said this week he wished Jonathan Brown had retired in the summer. This match showed the importance his magnetic presence still provides his club. His three superb majors, as well as other goal involvements, kept the Lions in a game they eventually won. He was not their best on ground, but it is inconceivable that they would have won without him. The only fault you could have with the consensus of most 'old school' players, the throwback type of forward who could have played alongside a 'Plugger' Lockett or Terry Daniher, was Brown's choice of footwear: bright yellow, with pink laces. He won't get a please explain notice from the AFL, but he likely will the next time he appears on The Footy Show.
3. Super sub
Mick Malthouse would have hoped Jeff Garlett would have an explosive impact when he came off the bench in this game. He got the opportunity much earlier than expected, due to David Ellard injuring his Achilles early on, and showed his keenness to stamp his impression on Indigenous Round by scoring two in the second quarter as the Blues recovered from a 28-point early deficit. When he bagged his third, after half-time, he had the amazing statistic of three kicks, three goals.
2. Brownie’s big impact
Dermott Brereton said this week he wished Jonathan Brown had retired in the summer. This match showed the importance his magnetic presence still provides his club. His three superb majors, as well as other goal involvements, kept the Lions in a game they eventually won. He was not their best on ground, but it is inconceivable that they would have won without him. The only fault you could have with the consensus of most 'old school' players, the throwback type of forward who could have played alongside a 'Plugger' Lockett or Terry Daniher, was Brown's choice of footwear: bright yellow, with pink laces. He won't get a please explain notice from the AFL, but he likely will the next time he appears on The Footy Show.
3. Super sub
Mick Malthouse would have hoped Jeff Garlett would have an explosive impact when he came off the bench in this game. He got the opportunity much earlier than expected, due to David Ellard injuring his Achilles early on, and showed his keenness to stamp his impression on Indigenous Round by scoring two in the second quarter as the Blues recovered from a 28-point early deficit. When he bagged his third, after half-time, he had the amazing statistic of three kicks, three goals.
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4. Anyone for a ruck?
Much has been said about how clearances are overrated this year, but tell that to the Lions who have missed Matthew Leuenberger greatly since he went down with a knee injury. Now their problems have been exacerbated with Trent West leaving the match in the second quarter, also with a knee injury. Daniel Merrett manfully replaced him for the rest of the game, but it is anyone's guess who will get the duties next round with Leuenberger not back for another eight weeks. Former Demon Stefan Martin is the most likely option, with local rookie draft pick Archie Smith a possible bolter.
5. Doc on form in return
Sam Docherty is far from the most heralded of the ‘Go home five’ (Billy Longer of St Kilda, Port Adelaide’s Jared Polec, Eagle Elliot Yeo and Patrick Karnezis of the Magpies being the others) that left the Brisbane Lions in the summer, but he was the first to return to the Gabba. Like Polec and Yeo have done this year he showed enough with his 30 possession that his contributions over the next few years would have added something to the Lions midfield in the coming seasons.
4. Anyone for a ruck?
Much has been said about how clearances are overrated this year, but tell that to the Lions who have missed Matthew Leuenberger greatly since he went down with a knee injury. Now their problems have been exacerbated with Trent West leaving the match in the second quarter, also with a knee injury. Daniel Merrett manfully replaced him for the rest of the game, but it is anyone's guess who will get the duties next round with Leuenberger not back for another eight weeks. Former Demon Stefan Martin is the most likely option, with local rookie draft pick Archie Smith a possible bolter.
5. Doc on form in return
Sam Docherty is far from the most heralded of the ‘Go home five’ (Billy Longer of St Kilda, Port Adelaide’s Jared Polec, Eagle Elliot Yeo and Patrick Karnezis of the Magpies being the others) that left the Brisbane Lions in the summer, but he was the first to return to the Gabba. Like Polec and Yeo have done this year he showed enough with his 30 possession that his contributions over the next few years would have added something to the Lions midfield in the coming seasons.
Matt Maguire, like his teammates, took the fight up to Carlton all game. Picture: AFL Media
