Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says the early-season bye has come at a great time as he makes an attempt to discover a resolution to his group’s worrying mid-game slumps.
Fagan continues to be optimistic his group can nonetheless problem for the highest 4 regardless of sinking to 0-2 with losses to Carlton and Fremantle.
Brisbane led the Blues by 46 factors of their season-opener earlier than being pegged again to lose by a single level.
The Lions additionally led Fremantle 27-2 in Perth on Saturday evening earlier than shedding 14.9 (93) to 10.10 (70).
Brisbane coughed up eight unanswered targets in each of these matches, and Fagan is decided to seek out out why.
“It’s something new to have those drop offs in the middle of the game,” Fagan stated.
“I don’t have an early theory, I must admit. I haven’t seen them coming, both times that they’ve occurred, and we tried a lot of things today to quell Fremantle’s momentum.
“We took a spare behind the ball, we performed an additional on the stoppage – the same old issues that you just do – however it did not make any distinction within the center a part of that sport, which is disappointing.
“You want to stop momentum. You don’t want teams to score a lot of goals in a row, and that’s happened twice in a row now.”
The Lions have a bye subsequent spherical, earlier than taking up Collingwood in a grand remaining rematch on March 28 on the Gabba.
Given Brisbane’s early-season struggles, Fagan is glad to have some further time up his sleeve to seek out options.
“Fortunately, we’ve got a few days now before we play Collingwood,” Fagan stated.
“If we’d won those two games, I’d probably say that I don’t want that bye.
“It most likely will likely be good simply to take a little bit of a breath in and work out a number of issues.
“Collingwood, who played in the grand final last year, are struggling as well (at 0-2), so we’ve just got to find a way.”
In 2021, Brisbane began the season 0-2 and 1-3 and nonetheless managed to complete fourth.
The Lions have been 1-2 final 12 months earlier than ending second on the ladder and reaching the grand remaining.
Fagan is assured his group will rebound once more.
“We’ve been zero and two before and made the top four,” Fagan stated.
“It’s a long way away, but we just have to think clearly about what’s going on and try and find some solutions.
“We will stay optimistic.”
Brisbane’s early woes have been compounded by injuries.
Defender Keidean Coleman suffered a season-ending knee injury against Carlton, while Darcy Gardiner (suspected PCL) and Conor McKenna (hamstring) were casualties against Fremantle.
Two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, who missed the loss to Fremantle with hamstring tightness, will return in opposition to the Magpies.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
