A roaring Brisbane Lions outfit have blown a tired GWS Giants side out of the water with a comfortable 64-point victory set up by a six-goal to one first quarter.
A sharp Charlie Cameron snap in the first 30 seconds of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round encounter set the tone, and from there the Lions piled on the pain.
The Giants couldn’t wake up after being forced to fly in on game-day due to Brisbane’s COVID restrictions, and only a smart inside-out checkside goal on the run from Bobby Hill saved them from an embarrassing scoreless first quarter.
“They look slow,” Brent Staker said on AFL Nation during the game.
Captain Dayne Zorko led from the front with 35 touches and two goals, but it was Brisbane’s collective effort and pressure that was the difference.
Here’s everything you need to know!
Lions have the best attack in the game
The addition of Joe Daniher was supposed to give the Lions a focal point in attack.
Rather, Daniher has helped the Lions build a spread of goal-kickers, and form the most dangerous attack in the game.
Nine individual goal-kickers last week against Richmond was surpassed by a whopping 13 today.
Last week Zac Bailey popped up with four goals, today it was winger Mitch Robinson who surprised with four to lead all-comers.
Generally the teams with the highest spread are the hardest to plan against and the Lions are fast becoming a scary proposition for opposite teams.
McCluggage v Taranto debate rolls on
Fans of the ever-present Andrew McGrath v Hugh McCluggage v Tim Taranto 2016 draft debate would’ve been excited when seeing Taranto line up on McCluggage at the first bounce.
Sadly, no clearer answer could be made over who is the better selection or player after both put in solid performances for their team.
McCluggage had 15 touches and a goal as well as the benefit of playing for a superior side, but Taranto was tireless in his 36 disposals to be the Giants best player.
Both players are genuine stars of the competition and perhaps comparisons should be withdrawn and we should just appreciate their talents.
Giants won’t impact on September this year
They’ve done well to recover from a zero-and-two start to the year, but the Giants look a class below when challenging the stronger teams.
They will still give themselves a chance due to the unfortunate COVID fly-in and fly-out situation, and they still have stars in Toby Greene, Steve Coniglio, Harry Perryman, Sam Taylor, Jesse Hogan and Phil Davis to return.
Coach Leon Cameron might fear that the season will be gone by the time these players return though.
Credit still must be given to Cameron for sticking fat, and impressive young players like Lachie Ash (26 disposals) and Isaac Cumming (28) will be better in the run for it.
What’s next?
Who knows with the lockdown in Victoria, but for now the Lions are scheduled to play the top-of-the-ladder Demons in Darwin in what should be a Friday night blockbuster.
The Giants have a bye.
FULL SCORE
Brisbane: 6.4, 10.7, 14.10, 19.15 (129)
GWS Giants: 1.0, 4.1, 5.3, 10.5 (65)
GOALS
Brisbane: Robinson 4, McStay 2, McCarthy 2, Zorko 2, Cameron, Daniher, Rich, Coleman, Hipwood, Prior, McCluggage, Bailey, McInerney
GWS Giants: Kelly 2, Ward 2, Hill 2, Finlayson, Hopper, Flynn, Sproule
BEST
Brisbane: Robinson, Zorko, Rich, McInerney, Adams, Lyons
GWS Giants: Taranto, Whitfield, Ward, Kelly, Cumming
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
GWS Giants: Nil
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