1. Hogan and Garlett lead from the front
Buddy, Brown, Cameron, Lynch and now Jesse Hogan. The first two rounds of the 2018 season have seen big men dominate the scoreboard with some big bags and Hogan’s five-goal effort on Saturday helped put the Lions to the sword. Hogan terrorised the Brisbane defenders from the start of the match, clunking nine marks and racking up 22 possessions in an arguably best-on-field performance. The other contender for best on ground was his partner Jeff Garlett, who finished with four goals. It was Garlett’s two last-quarter goals that sealed the match for the Demons after the Lions managed to draw level early in the final term.
WATCH: Jesse Hogan was at his best
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2. Charlie Cameron will light up the Gabba more than once
The Lions had their own exciting small forward in Charlie Cameron. Even when Brisbane was being bullied early in the game, Cameron was a leading light. It was no surprise that when the Lions drew level in the last quarter, the former Crow was in the thick of it. In his first home game for his new team, Cameron nearly pulled his team over the line with three goals in a row in the second half, two of which came in the first seven minutes of the final term. It wasn’t enough in the end, but Cameron stood up to be the Lions’ best on ground.
WATCH: Charlie Cameron brought the Lions right back into it
3. Melbourne’s composure shines through
Melbourne blew several chances in the last five minutes of last week’s game against Geelong, including Max Gawn’s set shot moments before the final siren. When the Lions came back from 42 points down to draw level early in the last quarter on Saturday, Demons fans were nervous. Would composure cost them the game again? Fortunately for Melbourne, Jeff Garlett stopped the flow of Lions goals with two important majors in a row. A further two from Jesses Hogan sealed the win.
WATCH: Jeff Garlett was sensational for the Demons
4. Early turnovers killed the Lions
Melbourne jumped out to a strong start after scoring their first six goals from intercepts. For the second week in a row the Lions struggled to hit their targets early in the game and were punished. And it wasn’t just Brisbane’s developing young players who were at fault. One of Luke Hodge’s first kicks of the match was pounced on by Jeff Garlett for the second goal of the game. The Lions corrected in the second half but the damage had been done.
WATCH: Electric Jeff Garlett turns it on
5. Zorko shakes his tag
Dayne Zorko’s stellar 2017 season was rewarded with All Australian selection, but it also led to an increase in attention from taggers and in round one Zorko was kept to just 14 possessions against St Kilda. While Bernie Vince kept the Lions star quiet in the first half, Zorko never stopped working and became more of an influence after the long break. He battled hard to finish with 20 disposals, 11 tackles and one goal. Shaking a tag isn’t easy but Brisbane fans will be buoyed by positive signs Zorko showed tonight.
