Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is bracing for Brisbane’s midfield beasts to return alive in Sunday’s AFL conflict at Optus Stadium.
The Lions’ top-two hopes have been dealt an enormous blow final week once they suffered a shock 41-point loss to Gold Coast.
Brisbane’s star-studded midfield misplaced the clearance battle 41-37, with Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale restricted to simply 17 disposals and 4 clearances after being tagged by Gold Coast captain Touk Miller.
In distinction, Fremantle’s midfield produced a masterful show in final week’s shock seven-point win over Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
Longmuir is anticipating Neale and the remainder of the Lions’ midfield brigade to elevate this week.
“Their core business is around the contest – big bodies, stoppage, get the ball forward to a really dangerous forward line,” Longmuir stated.
“According to Fages (Brisbane coach Chris Fagan) in his presser, they got beaten in that area in the second half last week.
“We’re anticipating them to return to their finest and focus closely on that a part of the sport.
“And unless you match it and better them in that side of the game, the rest is irrelevant.
“We want to verify we roll our sleeves up and produce a contest and strain efficiency like we did in opposition to Geelong.”
Brisbane boast Neale, Dayne Zorko, Hugh McCluggage and Josk Dunkley through the midfield.
Fremantle defender Hayden Young successfully tagged Patrick Dangerfield last week, restricting the Geelong veteran to 16 disposals and three clearances.
Longmuir will consider handing Young the tagging duties on Neale this week.
Neale tallied 35 disposals and 13 clearances when Brisbane beat Fremantle by 48 points at the Gabba in round seven.
“One factor we will not do is let him (Neale) have the sport he had in opposition to us final time,” Longmuir stated.
“We have to put some consideration into him.”
Two losses in their past three games means Brisbane sit one win adrift of second-placed Port Adelaide.
The battle for second spot is set to come down to the wire, but Fagan doesn’t see it as a disaster if his team misses out.
“We’re attempting to complete as excessive on the ladder as attainable however we’re not the folks saying we’ve to complete second to win it,” Fagan stated.
“If we end third or fourth, so be it.
“If you think about it, all you do is set yourself up for failure if you don’t finish top two. Where’s the logic in that?”
Fremantle have been bolstered by the return of defender Brennan Cox from an ankle damage, whereas Brisbane recalled Zac Bailey, ruckman Darcy Fort and defender Jaxon Prior.
Lions ruckman Oscar McInerney (ankle) and defender Keidean Coleman (eye) have been dominated out by means of damage.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
