Saturday night’s miraculous elimination final win over Carlton was just another chapter in a growing list of remarkable revivals in 2009 from the Lions.
They trailed the Blues by 30 points early in the last quarter, but with Jonathan Brown, Daniel Bradshaw and Daniel Rich firing on all cylinders, they got home.
And it was no fluke.
The Lions have trailed at half time six times in 2009 before prevailing at the end of four quarters.
Throw in Saturday night’s heroics – they actually led at half time by a point – and you’re getting a clear picture.
Voss was excited, and anything but surprised, at what his team was able to achieve when faced with adversity.
“They certainly don’t give up and that’s been a big thing for us; they just never give up,” he said after Saturday night’s win.
With a couple of days to contemplate the result, the Lions coach said his side needed to find a way to avoid having to embark on comebacks and play aggressively from the start.
“The Bulldogs didn’t exactly start well against Geelong, so they will be fired up to start well this week. We’ve got to do the same,” he said.
“You also have to start well when you’re playing away from home.
“The Gabba crowd was enormous in helping get us over the line against Carlton and we’ve got to take them with us. Even though they’re not all going to be out in the stands, we have to know that there is a great deal of support for us back home.
“I’m sure the Bulldogs will talk about that because it’s been a great strength of our group over the course of the year.”
The Lions showed Voss from his first game in charge they were made of steel when staring at defeat and have not looked back.
Interestingly, three of the revivals have been interstate:
Rd 1 v West Coast – The Eagles led by 38 points in the second quarter, but sparked by Rhan Hooper (four goals), the Lions got home by nine points.
Rd 7 v Richmond – The Lions conceded the first four goals and were behind by as much as 25 points in the second quarter, but managed to overrun the Tigers for their first interstate win in almost a year.
Rd 8 v Adelaide – Again, they trailed by four goals in the second quarter but led by Daniel Bradshaw’s five majors, the Lions kicked into gear for a comfortable win.
Rd 12 v Hawthorn – On a cold and drizzly day in Launceston, the Lions faced a deficit of 14 points at half time. But in a landmark win for the club, they smashed the premiers in the second half to win by 42.
Rd 16 v Fremantle – Again in the wet and on the longest road trip in the competition, Freo led by seven points at the half, but in a low scoring contest (62-47) the Lions ground out a crucial win.
Rd 21 v Port Adelaide – Behind by 47 points during an unbelievable first quarter, the Lions sparked an amazing revival win by 15 points.
And for good measure, Bradshaw kicked a goal after the siren to nab a draw with Essendon in round 19.
The message is clear – write the Lions off at your own peril.
