Brisbane’s Defensive Struggles Exposed in Geelong Defeat
Brisbane’s defensive vulnerabilities were clearly on display during their recent match against Geelong, where the visitors secured a commanding 41-point victory at the Gabba. The Lions found themselves unable to contain the opposition’s forward line, with Geelong’s Shaun Mannagh emerging as a standout performer. Mannagh, known for his relentless running and precision, scored five goals, accumulated 30 possessions, and provided three goal assists, earning him the best-on-ground award.
The defeat came on the eve of the game, when Brisbane faced several setbacks. Veteran player Dayne Zorko was ruled out due to soreness, while Noah Answerth and Lincoln McCarthy were already sidelined with a concussion and a hamstring injury, respectively. This left the half-back flank significantly weakened, a problem that became apparent during the match.
Head coach Chris Fagan acknowledged the challenges posed by these injuries, stating: “It’s fair to say we lost Starcevich to West Coast. Answerth is injured. Both are good close checking defenders. Lincoln McCarthy we’re trying to develop into that role and we lost him (to injury).”
Fagan highlighted the difficulties the team faced in containing key opposition players, noting that the players tasked with defending against them didn’t perform as expected. He added: “The guys who had the job on him tonight just didn’t get it done. That doesn’t mean to say we can’t get those guys better. We’re asking guys like Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot to play on him, and they’re probably attacking half-back flankers. They’ve got to get the balance right of when to attack and when to defend. That’s just our reality at the moment. We’ve got to develop somebody into that position.”
The decision to manage Zorko’s workload was described by Fagan as a “sensible” one, given his age and the length of the season. He explained: “He just pulled up sore from the game last week. He wasn’t feeling 100 percent at training on Tuesday. And he wasn’t any better at the captain’s run so we decided to rest him. He’s 37 and played 300 games. Sometimes it catches up with older guys. We just have to be careful with him. You’ve got to be sensible.”
Despite these challenges, Fagan remains optimistic about the team’s prospects moving forward. He pointed to the upcoming 10-day break before the Round 11 clash against GWS as an opportunity for key players to return to the senior side. Zorko, McCarthy, and Answerth are expected to push for selection, along with Jarrod Berry and Ty Gallop, who are recovering from a calf and hamstring injury, respectively.
Key Players and Their Roles
- Shaun Mannagh: The Geelong forward dominated the match with five goals, 30 possessions, and three goal assists.
- Dayne Zorko: A veteran player who was rested due to soreness, highlighting the need for careful management of older players.
- Noah Answerth and Lincoln McCarthy: Both were injured, leaving the half-back flank vulnerable.
- Chris Fagan: The head coach emphasized the importance of developing players into key defensive roles.
- Darcy Wilmot and Fletcher: Players tasked with defending against strong opposition forwards, but struggled to find the right balance between attack and defense.
Looking Ahead
With the upcoming break, Fagan is confident that the team will be able to strengthen its lineup ahead of the next match. The return of key players could provide much-needed stability to the defensive unit, which has been under pressure in recent games. As the season progresses, the focus will be on finding ways to improve the team’s ability to handle high-pressure situations and maintain consistency across all positions.
