Veteran Lions defender Daniel Rich might should power his manner again into Brisbane’s prime 22 through the membership’s VFL crew so glad was coach Chris Fagan along with his facet’s “stingy” show towards Richmond.
Brisbane kicked 20 objectives in demolishing the toothless Tigers by 81 factors on the Gabba on Thursday evening, nevertheless it was the Lions’ defensive effort within the 20.14 (134) to 7.11 (53) win that the majority happy Fagan.
“We were good all game and we were good in all the facets,” Fagan mentioned.
“Our contest numbers are incredibly good, but the most pleasing part about it was our team defence.
“I just thought we were stingy. They didn’t get a lot of inside 50s. We cut off a lot of their plays.
“They got a little bit of flow occasionally, but Richmond usually get a lot more than that.
“That was our biggest focus coming into the game, to stop that run-forward, handball chain game that they play when they play their very best footy, and I thought our ball use was very good.”
But Fagan was uncertain whether or not it was Brisbane’s finest efficiency of the season as a consequence of how poor the Tigers have been after having final weekend off.
“It’s just very hard to say. I don’t know if Richmond are like other teams off the bye. They’ve suffered a bit from having a week off,” Fagan mentioned.
“I know they had some players in tonight that hadn’t played much footy. All that adds up.
“I wouldn’t have thought that’s a true indication of Richmond’s capacity, but we did play well.”
It was Brisbane’s third successive win after a mid-season hiccup of consecutive losses to Adelaide and Hawthorn.
“The Hawthorn game made us put the spotlight back on team defence,” Fagan mentioned.
“It was a big thing we worked on over the pre-season and for most of our games this year it’s been pretty strong, just not in round 1 against Port, (and) not against Hawthorn.
“We’ve got a group of players that are hellbent on improvement, which is the main thing.”
It was after the 25-point loss to the Hawks that Rich and fellow veteran Jack Gunston have been dropped following a “conversation” with Fagan.
At the time, the choice was made to not use both participant within the reserves however quite enhance their kind and health through a “training block”.
However, Rich is now seemingly going through a VFL stint within the hope of successful again his spot in Brisbane’s top-flight backline.
“I’m pretty sure Daniel Rich won’t mind that he’ll have to force his way back into the team,” Fagan mentioned.
“Maybe he’s going to have to come through the reserves but that’s OK. You need that competition in teams, and he’s a great team man, and he’ll understand that.”
The Lions are set to be with out the unfortunate Callum Ah Chee for Saturday week’s house conflict towards the West Coast Eagles after he was concussed in Thursday evening’s last quarter when he crashed into Nathan Broad’s shoulder whereas making an attempt a sort out.
“It’s a real pity because every time he (Ah Chee) comes in something happens to him and I thought in the second half he was really starting to get going,” Fagan mentioned.
Star midfielder Josh Dunkley was changed at three-quarter-time by substitute Darcy Fort due to a calf subject, however he’s unlikely to overlook the conflict towards the Eagles.
“He just had a ‘corky’. We didn’t need to take any risks. He was not that keen to come off,” Fagan mentioned.
Originally revealed as Brisbane’s improved defensive shows has Lions veteran Daniel Rich going through stint within the reserves
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
