Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews has denied the Lions “got ahead of ourselves” and took a complacent perspective into the opening spherical after a stellar pre-season.
Having crushed final season’s grand finalists Geelong and Sydney in trials, a Lions aspect boosted by the arrival of prized recruits Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston and Will Ashcroft had been anticipated to deal with Port Adelaide in spherical 1.
However, the Lions produced a woeful weekend show at Adelaide Oval, with Port thrashing the guests by 52 factors.
Brisbane went to sleep after halftime, with the hosts outscoring the Lions 87-21 within the second half.
Lions coach Chris Fagan questioned his workforce’s perspective after the loss.
“We came into the game with confidence given our (pre-season) form but perhaps that was the problem,” Fagan mentioned.
“We had two good games against the Swans and Geelong. Whether that was an influencing factor, whether we turned up here and perhaps thought we were going a little bit better than we were … it’s hard to say.”
However, Andrews was adamant his aspect had not grow to be cocky.
“I wouldn’t say we got ahead of ourselves,” Andrews mentioned.
“We weren’t going into the game thinking how easy is this going to be. We’d be kidding ourselves if we came into AFL games thinking that.
“We just got outworked by a good team. Port came with a steelier mindset into the game.
“They were really keen for the contest and we obviously weren’t. There’s no real sugar-coating it.”
Things received’t get any simpler for the Lions on Friday evening after they host 2021 premiers Melbourne on the Gabba.
However, Andrews mentioned his aspect had no selection however to “respond” and “make peace” with final Saturday’s embarrassing efficiency.
“As a group over the last couple of years, we’ve had some bad losses like that, but then our ability to bounce back is something that stands out for us,” he mentioned.
“We’re going to get a real understanding of where we’re at as a footy team.”
The microscope can be significantly on the Lions star-studded midfielders, together with the likes of Dunkley. Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry and co-captain Lachie Neale, who have been destroyed by Port after halftime.
“You look at our pre-season – our mids have been fantastic,” Andrews mentioned.
“Their ability to get their hands on the ball first (and) defensively put some good pressure on has been really good throughout the pre-season.
“You have ups and downs throughout the season, and probably they (the midfielders) copped a bit of a whack over the weekend, but I’m sure that they’re going to respond, and they get a great challenge against a really potent Melbourne midfield.
“It’s a great opportunity.”
Andrews was hopeful that former Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko could be out there for choice after lacking the journey to Adelaide due to a hamstring harm.
“He’s been tracking really well. It’d be awesome to get him back at some point,” Andrews mentioned of veteran Zorko.
“He brings such energy to the club. His ability to put pressure on the field and bring that hunger to the contest (that) we probably missed on the weekend would be great.”
Originally revealed as Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews says lacklustre Lions should raise to beat Melbourne
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
