Lions.com.au takes a look at the five BIG questions ahead of the Brisbane Lions’ Round 22 game against Geelong at the Gabba.
Can the Lions back it up?
The Brisbane Lions are coming off a gutsy 4-point win against the Blues at the Gabba last weekend. They showed heart when the going got tough, but this week will meet a fourth placed Geelong side, hungry to lock down their position on the ladder.
In the Lions’ win against the Blues, they were able to make 79 effective tackles (their fourth highest total for the Season), had their second most amount of marks inside 50 (14), had their second best accuracy in front of goal for the year, and had their best first half of a game for the Season. The Lions will need to maintain this sort of effort against one of the flag favourites this weekend.
The two teams last met in Round three, and Geelong were dominant. They won disposals (396-332), marks (101-65), tackles (73-52), scoring shots (35-21) and inside 50s (69-35).
Can Mitch Robinson contain Patrick Dangerfield?
In Round three, Mitch Robinson tried hard to contain Dangerfield before he was sent forward.
Robinson had more of the football than Dangerfield, gathering 31 disposals for himself, but Dangerfield had more of an impact with 26 touches, along with three goals.
Dangerfield is the current Brownlow Medal favourite, averaging 31 disposals, five tackles, one goal and 119 AFL Fantasy points a game in 2016.
This year Robinson has established himself as one of the best taggers in the game, and has taken some out some big names, including Matt Priddis (West Coast), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) and David Zaharakis (Essendon).
Can Dan Merrett contain Tom Hawkins?
It’s been a big week for big Dan Merrett, who earlier in the week announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2016 Season.
In his final game at the Gabba, it is expected that he will go head-to-head with Geelong big man Tom Hawkins, who kicked four goals against us the last time we met.
Dan Merrett will be leading a young Lions defence against a rather experienced forward line.
Let’s hope the Sauce Squad can help the boys get even more up and about.
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Can Geelong lock down their position in the top four?
Geelong sit in fourth position on the ladder, the only thing separating them and the second position is percentage, with the Swans having a percentage of 146.9% compared to their 135.4%. A big win could help them climb even higher.
The GIANTS currently sit in fifth position, have a higher percentage than Geelong and are only one game behind them. The Cats cannot afford to let a game slip and lose their spot in the top four.
Can the Lions produce another Miracle on Grass?
It’s a huge game for the Brisbane Lions. Not only will it be Dayne Zorko’s 100th game, but it’s the Lions' Queensland Member’s Round AND will be the final game that Dan ‘Big Sauce’ Merrett will play at the Gabba.
We have a pretty good record against the Cats in milestone games, who remembers the Miracle on Grass in 2013?
Let’s see if the young Lions can upset the Cats in front of their home crowd again!
