This is the fourth game out of 10 where the Lions have been embarrassed and taken out of the game in the first quarter. The 24-point deficit going into the first break flattered them greatly, as Collingwood racked up nearly double the disposals and smashed them 21-6 in inside 50s. Once more poor goalkicking from their opponents spared a more humiliating defeat on the scoreboard. A humiliating start on primetime television only shines a harsher light on Michael Voss’ plight. Worryingly for the Lions Simon Black, in his last year, was their best player and daylight was second. Where is the hope for 2014?
2. O’Brien stands up again
Harry O’Brien put himself in the spotlight during the week, criticising his chairman for a racist comment, and was front and centre again at the Gabba. Nathan Buckley said he would leave it up to O’Brien and Andrew Krakouer whether they took part in the game but both showed no signs of being affected by the turbulent week. O’Brien ended the match with 24 disposals and Krakouer showed flashes of brilliance, generously setting up Kyle Martin’s debut goal after leaving Joel Patfull on his backside, though, like many of his team-mates, he was dogged by errant goalkicking.
3. The kids are all right
Anyone who saw Kyle Martin’s six goals, 27 possessions and 11 tackles in the VFL last week would suggest he was ready for the step up to the big league. Though he could not have wished for better opposition against whom to make his bow, Martin was involved from the start with four clearances in the first quarter, ending with 19 disposals and two goals. Paul Seedsman, Josh Thomas and Ben Kennedy also shone racking up over 20 possessions apiece.
4. Leuey the biggest miss for Lions
There was a sigh of relief from Lions fans and most likely Joel Patfull when learning of Travis Cloke missing the match with gastro, seemingly nullifying the loss of Daniel Merrett to suspension. The loss of Jonathan Brown, sitting out for the first of his two-game ban, was obviously felt as the Lions did not give their midfield quality options in the forward 50 in the first half. The biggest loss, though, was their big man in the middle, Matthew Leuenberger. Darren Jolly has had troubles in the ruck this year but dominated Billy Longer, and the Magpies went on to clean up in the stoppages. Just as key for the Lions was the lack of the get-out ball Leuenberger often provides them.
5. Kicking calamity
The posts were off-centre at the Gabba and were one of Mick Malthouse’s reasons for poor kicking last week. The fact he also blamed a full moon suggests his comments shouldn’t necessarily have been taken at face value. Whatever the case, there seems to be something amiss when teams line up for goal here. Behinds edge goals 133-130 at the Gabba this season, with West Coast (17.6) the only side to impress with their shooting. Jack Redden didn’t have any problems though, blasting a goal from an impossible angle on the right similar to Robert Murphy’s against the Lions in week one.
