Brisbane’s Struggles: A Defensive Crisis
Brisbane’s recent performance has been a cause for concern, with the Lions suffering two significant defeats in the past two weeks. First, they were beaten by Geelong at the Gabba by a margin of 41 points, and then they faced another tough loss against GWS, which further raised questions about their form.
The Giants’ performance was particularly impressive, as they managed to score 14 goals in the third term alone. This feat ranks as the fourth-highest number of points scored in a single quarter in AFL history. Their dominant 13-goal victory highlighted the challenges that the Lions are facing, especially on the defensive end.
The Root of the Problem
A detailed analysis of the stats behind the Lions’ recent struggles reveals that their main issue lies in their defensive strategy. While their midfield and forward pressure have been lacking against aggressive teams like the Giants and Cats, it’s the transition from defensive 50 to forward 50 that has become a critical weakness.
The Cats and Giants have taken advantage of this vulnerability, showcasing a clear blueprint for how to defeat the reigning premiers. Brisbane’s defensive setup has not been effective enough to stop these transitions, which has led to a series of conceded scores.
Defensive Metrics: A Closer Look
According to WheeloRatings, which measures the proportion of all chains starting in the defensive 50 that resulted in an inside 50, the Lions rank 17th in defending opposition ball movement. They concede 29.3% of these transitions, which is only slightly better than Essendon’s 31.6%.
This poor defensive performance translates into conceding a high number of scores. The Lions are allowing 13.3 scores per game, which is the second-worst in the league, just ahead of Essendon’s 16.6.
In Round 10, Geelong demonstrated how effective their defensive strategy can be. They scored 21.1% of their goals from defensive 50 and were able to transition the ball on two out of every five occasions. This success was largely due to the heavy handball game implemented by Cats coach Chris Scott.
Handball Tactics: A Winning Strategy
Scott encouraged his players to use handballs in close proximity, driving their legs out of contests before using the space out the back. This approach allowed the Cats to gain 181 handballs compared to 223 kicks, resulting in an extra 142 metres gained through handballs.
On Sunday, the Giants took this strategy and ran with it. The Orange Tsunami, which had struggled in 2026, recorded an impressive 971 metres gained by hand. Their kick-to-handball ratio was almost equal, indicating a willingness to keep the ball live under pressure.
The Upcoming Challenge
The upcoming match against Fremantle will serve as a litmus test for the back-to-back premiers. The Dockers have improved their handball game in 2026, leading to an impressive top-of-the-table standing after losing only once in 11 games.
For Chris Fagan, the head coach of the Lions, this match will be crucial in determining how concerned he should be about his team’s current form. The Lions need to address their defensive weaknesses quickly if they are to maintain their position as one of the league’s top teams.
