Brisbane tuned up for the 2023 season perfectly with a dominant 46-point win over reigning premiers Geelong at Brighton Homes Arena on Thursday night.
Of course, practice matches are never as important or as true a guide compared to the real thing, but this is significant for Chris Fagan’s Lions, at the very least helping to heal some mental scars from last year’s Prelim debacle.
Chris Scott won’t be too stressed or concerned but it certainly gives hope to everyone else in the league that the Cats could be gettable.
Here are the key takeaways from the game:
Midfield recruits make Lions dangerous
The established Josh Dunkley and the emerging Will Ashcroft were superb all night, adding some dangerous elements to the Lions midfield.
Dunkley finished with an equal game-high 31 disposals along with eight clearances, seven inside 50s and seven tackles.
Ashcroft, who spent time on the wing and across half-forward, had 26 touches and just looks a ready-made senior footballer.
Throw in new co-captain Lachie Neale (31 disposals), Hugh McCluggage (26 possessions) and Zac Bailey (16 touches, 2 goals) and Fagan has plenty of on-ball weapons. Jarryd Lyons was an emergency showing just how strong the midfield unit is.
The way the Lions moved the ball forward stood out to SEN’s Kane Cornes.
“Once they turn it over they go and their ball movement through the middle to get it over the back to Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey and Lincoln McCarthy,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“Their tall forwards are athletic and have speed in Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood, Jack Gunston is now there and got one out the back early
“I like the way they move the ball.”
The Lions go coast-to-coast with new recruit Jack Gunston on the end.
— AFL (@AFL) March 2, 2023
Watch the practice matches on Fox Footy or Kayo. pic.twitter.com/az2w41OBxY
Cats forward line devoid of stars
Ollie Henry was goalless after an impressive four-goal showing against Hawthorn last week, but had to operate in a forward line devoid of stars Jeremy Cameron (rested) and Tom Hawkins (foot).
It’s hard to kick too many goals with players of that calibre out, especially with Henry running the show alongside the inexperienced Ollie Dempsey (13 touches, one goal).
Henry finished with 11 disposals and four marks including a nice grab below.
Does @FOXFOOTY pick favourites? Because that No.36 is getting some serious air time 🔥 #Untameable pic.twitter.com/4wwDZhDNpy
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) March 2, 2023
Despite the absence of Cameron and Hawkins, Tyson Stengle again proved his quality as a small forward with 20 touches and two goals.
McKenna in Brisbane’s best 22
Conor McKenna looked comfortable back at the level and should force his way into Brisbane’s best 22/23 for Round 1.
The Irish former Bomber picked up 14 touches off half-back and looked sprightly after two years away from the Australian game.
Wilmot is an “absolute beauty”
David King is a massive fan of Lions youngster Darcy Wilmot.
The 19-year-old impressed in last year’s finals series and looks set to take the next step in 2023.
“I really like Darcy Wilmot,” King said on SEN Breakfast.
“I think he’s in for a serious season playing that wing, defensive role. I know he was a high draft pick in 2021.
“All the talk will be about Ashcroft while Wilmot I think is an absolute beauty.”
Cats were inefficient but nothing to worry about
Geelong, who were also without Mark Blicavs, Mitch Duncan and Isaac Smith, might have only kicked six goals but they did have enough forward 50 entries, finishing with 53 to Brisbane’s 55.
That stat category suggests to Cornes and King that there is not too much to worry about.
“I don’t think they’d be too concerned about anything that they saw last night,” Cornes said.
“It was just a tough night for them. They had a number of entries but were just inefficient going forward, conditions played a factor in that, but there wasn’t anything to write home about.
“Not that it has me swaying my opinion on where they will be in September.”
King added: “Just too many out, in the end.”
Injury room
Brisbane key forward Eric Hipwood copped a corked hip after a heavy aerial collision with Cats defender Esava Ratugolea.
Lions defender Jack Payne was rested late with a hamstring complaint while Geelong’s Kade Kolodjashnij received a head knock from friendly fire and came off the ground early.
Next up
The Lions kick off their 2023 season against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on March 18.
The Cats will start their premiership defence against Collingwood at the MCG on March 17.
