A Fox Footy analyst says there are “no more excuses” for this AFL contender after it rectified its “big issue”.
A building Brisbane brigade is right in the thick of this year’s finals race despite a slow start to the year, but it needs to capitalise on its remaining opportunities at home.
Catapulting from a stirring win over the Western Bulldogs last Friday night, the Lions are just a game and half behind the eighth-placed GWS Giants — and Montagna is expecting Chris Fagan’s men to “make a charge” at the business end of the year.
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“When you look at the Brisbane Lions right now, they are as primed as any team to make a charge at the second half of the year,” Montagna told Fox Footy’s First Crack Preview.
“I don’t want to hear any more jibber jabber coming from The Gabba, boys. I don’t want to hear any more excuses coming out of the Brisbane Lions, because when you look at their team, they’re only missing four players from their starting 22 on grand final day.
“One of them, Deven Robertson, is by choice. He’s not in their best team, and they’re only missing three players now. Keidean Coleman, we understand, important player, Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Gardiner. Otherwise, they’re fully fit.”
Montagna praised Brisbane’s attacking improvement, complementing its pre-eminent defensive prowess.
“Their last five games before the bye, they only lost one of them, and their profile is the second-best profile in the competition behind the Sydney Swans over the last six weeks,” Montagna continued. “They are doing a lot right.
“When you take a look at their offence, they’re able to now hit the scoreboard. It was a big issue for them going inside 50 early in the year, we highlighted that. The key forwards, their accuracy.
“But now, their ball movement is the best in the competition from the back half, so that part of the game is going well. Their defensive aspect has always been strong, that’s one phase that has kept them in good stead — it’s always been a staple of their game; that has stayed consistent for the whole year.
“Their contest and clearance game (are) really strong again. Their pressure in the forward half is back up to being a top couple (in the league) and their contest and contested ball (are) number one in the competition.”
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The Lions have been number-one in the AFL in points from turnover differential (+27.6) in the past five games, leading the top-of-the-table and next-best Sydney Swans (+22.2), who have sat atop the crucial category for the majority of the season.
In the past six weeks, the Lions rank first in the league in points against from turnover, third in inside-50s against, fifth in points against and fifth in forward-half intercepts.
“So, I don’t want to hear it anymore, Brisbane,” Montagna said.
“They can make a charge, they’ve got six more games at The Gabba, this is the team they had last year, they’re still in their prime.
“I’m expecting them to make moves, and this is just a game they can’t lose. They cannot lose this game to a St Kilda side tomorrow night.”
Brisbane fell to Hawthorn a fortnight ago, but Montagna insisted on focussing on the Lions’ profile.
“That was a poor game (against the Hawks), but before that, it was all pretty solid as well,” he said. “The draw against Adelaide was actually a really strong performance, I like to look at their profile … I think they’re ready to make a move.”
Including the Saints game, three of the Lions’ next four fixtures will take place at The Gabba, with favourable meetings with Melbourne (Round 16) and Adelaide (Round 17) upcoming.