FRUSTRATION: Brisbane Lions coach, Chris Fagan looks on with disappointment after his side let a 42-point lead slip to lose by seven points.
(AFL PHOTOS)
WITH just three more rounds of football in the regular season, the Brisbane Lions have fallen down the ladder seeing them positioned now 5th with a 13-6 record.
This comes after their recent loss against the Richmond Tigers where despite leading by as much as 42 points in the first half, including kicking seven goals in the first quarter alone, the Tigers 10-goal response in the second half was enough to beat Chris Fagan’s side by 7 points, continuing Brisbane’s nightmare - now a horror eight-year losing streak at the MCG.
This result has now given Richmond a second chance of clinching a finals spot, whereas it pushes Brisbane outside the top four with the Sydney Swans claiming 4th spot after convincingly thrashing the GWS Giants by 73 points at the SCG.
The recent form of the Brisbane Lions has now raised questions around the football nation of whether or not they are capable to perform on the big stage.
Since 2004, the Lions have won 4 out of 31 games at the MCG.
The MCG is historically known and regarded as the home stage for the Grand Final.
It is crucial for all teams who want to contest and win the premiership to have a good record, history and reputation at the ground.
Players need to know the conditions and atmosphere of what it’s like playing at the home of football, if not, then it’s very unlikely to have success when it comes to finals.
Many argue that interstate teams like the Brisbane Lions don’t get enough of an opportunity throughout the home and away season to play at the MCG.
Does it seem right that over 18 years, Brisbane has only played 31 games at the MCG?
On May 29th, 2022, approximately midway through the regular season, Port Adelaide premiership player, Kane Cornes spoke on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show about the lack of MCG exposure for interstate teams and how it was a serious problem facing the AFL.
He looked at the AFL’s ownership of Marvel Stadium and how it has taken games away from the MCG that previously would have given teams a chance on the biggest stage of all.
Is this something the AFL needs to look at for the upcoming seasons in order to give interstate teams greater opportunity to perform and play at the MCG.
So, now the big question is if the Brisbane Lions are contenders or pretenders?
Well, according to North Melbourne great, David King speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack, the Lions “can’t defend,” and are “rattled down back” which has ultimately put a line through Brisbane’s premiership chances.
Every team who makes the top eight after the regular season all have a chance, however, looking at Brisbane’s record at the MCG only puts huge doubt into its chances to perform on the big stage when it matters the most.
Can Chris Fagan’s side find a spark when it comes to finals and break its tragic MCG record? - we will soon find out.
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY: Lion's captain, Dayne Zorko rues the missed opportunity to bring home the team's first win at the MCG since 2014.
(AFL PHOTOS)
The Lions cap off their season with a few tough games including Carlton (Gabba), St Kilda (Marvel Stadium) and Melbourne (Gabba) in the lead up to finals.
These games will all be a massive test for the Lions in order to prove to themselves and their loyal fans that they have the potential and skill to be great and successful come September.
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