Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has instructed his gamers that any successful margin will suffice towards AFL easybeats West Coast regardless of Saturday’s Gabba conflict looming as a golden alternative for the Lions to additional increase their share.
The last-placed Eagles journey to the “Gabbatoir” with only one win from 15 video games this season and fewer than two weeks after being demolished by 171 factors by the Swans in Sydney.
While they restored some pleasure in Perth final Sunday in shedding by simply eight factors to St Kilda, the Eagles must be simple pickings for the third-placed Lions, who final week had been 81-point house winners over Richmond.
That share increase was welcomed within the race for a top-two end and two finals sequence video games on the Gabba, the place the Lions haven’t misplaced this season.
Another vital share improve on Saturday would show helpful; nevertheless, Fagan stated his gamers couldn’t afford to assume that method.
“I think everybody talks about that – I don’t,” the Lions coach stated.
“Straight after the game last week we talked about the idea that the only thing that matters this week is getting the win, getting the four points.
“When you start thinking about things like percentage, you take your eye off the process and start thinking too much about the result.
“It’s disrespectful to the opposition too, so that’s not on our radar at all.
“We just want to play well and play a trademark-style game, and hopefully we come away with the win.”
However, regardless of being cautious of taking a complacent perspective into the sport, the Lions have nonetheless elected to relaxation midfielder Jarrod Berry, who has a decent hamstring in certainly one of 4 adjustments from final week.
When requested if Berry would have performed had the match been a last, Fagan stated: “He was pretty close. We might have pushed but i’s better at this point in time to look after your players.
“I would expect that he’d be available for selection next week (against Melbourne at the MCG, but you never know with hamstrings.”
Fagan was much less assured about star recruit Josh Dunkley, who has been dominated out of Saturday’s conflict with a calf damage.
“We’re not going to take a risk with him. He’s a very important player to us,” Fagan stated of the previous Western Bulldog.
Dunkley’s damage has led to the elevation of forgotten man Jarryd Lyons.
“He’s a more than adequate replacement for Josh on the back of weeks and weeks and weeks of strong form in the reserves,” Fagan stated.
“If they was ever a bloke that deserved to be picked in the AFL team this week, it’s Jarry Lyons.”
Berry and Dunkley will likely be joined on the sidelines by Callum Ah Chee (concussion) and Linc McCarthy (suspended), whereas final week’s substitute Darcy Fory has been omitted.
Recalled together with Lyons are Irishman James Madden, former skipper Dayne Zorko and ex-Hawthorn star Jack Gunston, who hasn’t performed since being dropped after Brisbane’s 25-point loss to the Hawks on June 10.
“We’ve lost two forwards from last week’s team in Linc McCarthy and Call Ah Chee. Both of those guys played well, so we were looking for forward-line players to replace them, so therefore Jack and ‘Zorks’ have got an opportunity,” Fagan stated.
“It would have been a very difficult task to change the team last week if we’d not had any injuries, but that’s not the case. We’ve got three and a suspension, so that’s the door for some others to get an opportunity.”
But not veteran defender Daniel Rich, who was additionally dropped after the loss to Hawthorn
Rich will as a substitute play for the Lions’ VFL aspect on Saturday towards the Northern Bullants in Melbourne.
“I just want to see him play Daniel Rich-style footy – nothing more, nothing less,” Fagan stated.
Originally printed as Lions coach Chris Fagan requires a ‘trademark’ Brisbane efficiency towards last-placed Eagles
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
