Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has lamented his facet’s lack of polish and incapacity to deal with “finals-like” strain in a irritating defeat to the Western Bulldogs.
Dominant in opposition to Melbourne final week, the Lions had been outgunned on the contest by the Bulldogs and inaccurate in entrance of purpose.
The 10.7 (67) to 7.11 (53) defeat left them with a 1-2 document forward of an enormous house conflict with premiership favourites Collingwood in spherical 4.
“It was an honest effort by us but we didn’t play with any polish,” Fagan stated.
“A part of that was to do with the Bulldogs’ pressure, but it was a high-pressure game. It was a finals-like game and lots of mistakes were made.
“I used to be actually upset after the Port Adelaide efficiency (in spherical one) and tonight I’m upset, however not for a similar causes.”
The Bulldogs won a lopsided centre clearance count (12-4) to gain territory and were on top in contested possession (+16).
“That’s a good purpose why the Dogs gained. They had been capable of win the contested ball when it went inside 50,” Fagan stated.
“That’s positively an space that we have to have just a little little bit of a take a look at.
“That’s contest by the forwards and it might be the way we delivered the ball. We certainly didn’t get it deep enough.”
Brisbane recruit Josh Dunkley had 23 disposals and 4 clearances in his first outing in opposition to the Bulldogs since forcing an low season commerce transfer.
The gun midfielder, who gained the Bulldogs’ best-and-fairest award final yr earlier than leaving, was jeered all evening by Dogs followers.
“He didn’t play his greatest game but he was very competitive like he always is and had a real go,” Fagan stated.
“Knowing Josh, he’d be disappointed with his game but he made a decent contribution and did some really courageous things to try and lift the team.”
Fagan was additionally upset about his facet’s missed alternatives in assault, with key ahead Joe Daniher one of many primary culprits in booting 0.4 on the evening.
“We practice all the time. He has his good days and his bad days,” Fagan stated.
“We’d love him to be more accurate but he’ll just keep working away at it.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
