MAN DOWN
If the task of playing the Cats in Geelong wasn’t difficult enough, the Lions were dealt a huge blow when they lost both Tom Rockliff (illness) and Dayne Zorko (family reasons) before the game.

Rockliff and Zorko have been among the Club’s best few players this season, so it was always going to have them sitting on the sidelines, along with Daniel Rich, Jack Redden, and co.

ZORKO’S RUN BROKEN
Zorko’s run of 59 straight senior matches from debut came to an end on Saturday night after he was a late withdrawal from the Lions’ side.

After Jack Redden’s streak of 112 consecutive games from debut ended a couple of month earlier, Zorko has boasted the longest unbeaten streak at the Club.

That honour now goes to Captain Jed Adcock, ho has played 50 straight senior matches.

Zorko’s absence also left just three players – Adcock, Lewy Taylor, and Justin Clarke – to have played every senior match for the Lions in 2014.

ZAC ATTACK
Rookie Zac O’Brien was won plenty of football in the NEAFL this season, and he showed he can do it at senior level last Saturday night.

O’Brien racked up a career-best 30 disposals against the Cats, third only to Stefan Martin (32) and Pearce Hanley (31) on the day.  

He also contributed a team-high six clearances and five tackles.

RISING STAR HOPEFULS
Lewy Taylor and James Aish are both among the favourites to take out the 2014 AFL Rising Star award, and neither did their chances any harm last Saturday night.

Former Geelong Falcon Taylor was electric in the opening half, and despite a quieter second half, still finished up with 22 disposals – his seventh 20-plus possession performance for the season – and a great running goal.

Aish, meanwhile, had 20 possessions, six marks, four tackles, four inside 50s, and a goal.

Aish, Taylor, and a number of their fellow first-year players, have been shining lights for the Club all season.  

LIONS HIT SCOREBOARD
The Lions might have conceded 21.17 (143) to Geelong last Saturday night, but they were able to kick 12.9 (81) themselves – their second biggest losing score for the season.

The Lions’ 21 scoring shots came from just 35 inside 50s – at an impressive scoring ratio of 60%.

TANDEM RUCKS
Matthew Leuenberger and Stefan Matin showed that there is room for two quality ruckmen at the Lions, with both having an influence on the contest.

Martin finished with a team-high 32 disposals, playing as an occasional ruck and pinch-hitting midfielder, while Leuenberger had a game-high 36 hitouts and a team-high six tackles.

No doubt the pair will work closely together over the coming pre-season to develop what could become an exciting partnership.  

BOURKE ON SHOW
The Lions’ 10th debutant, Jordon Bourke, had a trial by fire in his first AFL match – which was coincidentally against the same club that overlooked him as a potential Father/Son selection.

The Cats had 58 inside 50s, which meant the defenders were under constant pressure, but Bourke found 14 disposals, took six marks, had an equal team-high 10 one per centers, and laid four tackles.

It was a promising first-up performance, and should aid his development ahead of his third season. 

AFL FANTASY TOP FIVE
1. Stefan Martin – 124 points
2. Zac O’Brien – 100 points
3. Pearce Hanley – 95 points
4. Ryan Lester – 87 points
5. James Aish – 86 points

WHO WAS BEST?
Afl.com.au listed Hanley, Martin, Lester (24 touches at 87.5% efficiency), and Taylor as the Lions’ best, but who do YOU think were the team’s three best players?

Vote now online for the Club Player of the Year