Josh Dunkley is retaining the receipts, assured the Brisbane Lions can win an AFL flag with out the advantage of a top-two end.
Port Adelaide’s massive loss to Adelaide opened the door for Chris Fagan’s facet however a loss to Gold Coast meant the Lions have been unable to leap them into second place.
The consequence took their 2023 document to 4-6 away from the Gabba, the place they’re 9-0 this season.
With 4 rounds to play they continue to be in third, narrowly forward of Melbourne on share.
There is a two-win buffer between these sides and GWS and St Kilda in equal-fifth, with a double probability in finals the prize for sides who end within the prime 4.
A top-two end carries the added bonus of a house qualifying ultimate, which might be the distinction between internet hosting the Power on the Gabba or enjoying them at Adelaide Oval for a preliminary ultimate berth.
But Western Bulldogs recruit Dunkley insists that is not the focus of a facet that is searching their first grand ultimate look in what can be a fifth-straight finals marketing campaign below Fagan.
“Everyone can talk about first, second, third fourth and however the ladder’s going to play out,” he stated forward of coaching on Tuesday.
“We all know every spot’s up for grabs, so you just have to win and we weren’t able to do that.”
Brisbane misplaced each finals video games at residence in 2019 after ending second and in 2021 snuck into fourth place solely to be knocked out once more in straight units.
They have been overwhelmed in a preliminary ultimate in 2020, however arguably their greatest finals run got here final 12 months after they reached that very same stage once more regardless of ending sixth.
Dunkley, within the Bulldogs’ facet that beat the Lions by a degree within the 2021 semi-final, has heard the doubters’ claims however is adamant they needn’t start their post-season on the Gabba to ultimately raise the trophy on the MCG.
“Not at all; I see a few things pop up,” he stated.
“I save it in the back of my mind because, hopefully, at the back end of the year we can look back on it and prove them wrong.”
Already with out rookie midfielder Will Ashcroft (knee) for the remainder of the season, the Lions might be with out influential defender Keidean Coleman and ruckman Oscar McInerney for his or her journey west to face Fremantle.
Coleman was hit by a ball within the face from shut vary on Saturday, an eye fixed damage prone to hold him sidelined for no less than one week.
McInerney (ankle) was troubled late within the loss to the Suns and might be managed given the lengthy flight west.
Darcy Fort is a ready-made alternative within the ruck whereas Coleman’s absence may pave the best way for Daniel Rich’s return, seven weeks after he was dropped to initially enter a coaching block after which return at VFL stage.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
