ROCKLIFF TOUGHS IT OUT
He might have been battling illness, but Tom Rockliff toughed it out against the Swans to finish with a team-high 30 disposals (13 contested) and 11 tackles.

After a relatively slow start, Rockliff came to life in the second half and did his best to lift his team in what proved a tough night against the Swans.

Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch later lauded Rockliff’s efforts.

“It just shows how much of a competitor he is,” Leppitsch said.

Rockliff now leads the Club in average disposals (27.2 possessions per game), total tackles (48), and AFL Fantasy points (719).

A CAREER-BEST FOR MARCO
Marco Paparone posted career-best figures against the Swans at the Gabba.

The 19-year-old finished with a career-best 18 disposals (his previous best was 15) and nine marks (previous best was seven) to be among the Lion’s best.

Paparone also booted two goals and sent the ball inside 50m an equal career-best three times.

Against a quality outfit such as the Swans, it was a promising performance for the hard-running forward.

TACKLES V POSSESSIONS
Generally if a team dominates possession, their opposition has a higher tackle count by virtue of the fact that they’re often second to the ball.

But that wasn’t the case at the Gabba last Saturday night, as Sydney were clear leaders in both areas.

The Swans not only had 100 more disposals than the Lions (428-320), but also won the tackle count 59-49.

In fact, it was the Lions’ lowest tackle count of the season so far.

OPPOSITION BALL WINNERS
The Lions have struggled to contain the opposition’s best midfielders for most of this season, with Jarrad McVeigh (35 disposals), Josh Kennedy (34) and Daniel Hannebery (31) the latest stars to find plenty of the ball.

Leigh Montagna (37 disposals in Round 6), Trent Cotchin (32 disposals in Round 5), Travis Boak (41 disposals in Round 4), and Gary Ablett (38 disposals in Round 3) have all been particularly damaging in recent weeks.

And with Essendon stars Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard, Brent Stanton, and Dyson Heppell all headed to the Gabba this Saturday evening, the Lions will certainly have their hands full once again.

TOUGH START
It’s no secret that the Brisbane Lions have had a tough draw to open the 2014 season – and the current AFL ladder would suggest no different.

In fact, the Lions have now played against five of the competition’s top seven teams (Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Geelong, Gold Coast, and Sydney) – including each of the top three.

Things aren't about to get any easier before the Bye with Essendon (10th) and North Melbourne (8th) approaching in the lead-up to the Bye.

AFL FANTASY TOP FIVE
1. Tom Rockliff – 141 points
2. Marco Paparone – 93 points
3. Nick Robertson – 90 points
4. Ryan Lester – 88 points
5. Sam Mayes – 85 points

WHO WAS BEST?
Afl.com.au listed Rockliff, Sam Mayes (20 disposals and eight marks), Jed Adcock (20 disposals, eight rebound 50s), Josh Green (16 disposals, six inside 50s), Paparone, and Nick Robertson (16 disposals and seven tackles) as the Lions’ best, but who do YOU think were the team’s three best players?

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