Final questions: Richmond v Brisbane qualifying final at the GabbaJon Pierik
The Age
7 Sep 2019Few thought the Brisbane Lions would have made the finals, let alone finish in the top four. But they have and, with a home final, against Richmond, their rise could be rapid. Jon Pierik assesses the burning questions heading into Saturday night's qualifying final.
Any danger the Lions won't be able to handle the finals heat?Yes. This is the biggest game so far for many of their players, for the Lions have not played in a final since 2009. They can talk as much as they like about handling the pressure but actions and words are different things. Luke Hodge will provide a calm hand in defence, and may look to get physical early in a bid to set the tempo, but the Tigers may target some of the more inexperienced Lions. The home side's full list has a combined finals experience of 64 matches (seventh of the eight teams in the finals) compared to the Tigers' 148 (fourth).
The Tigers have won their past 13 straight against the Lions since 2010, but the manner in which the visitors almost stole victory at the MCG in round 23 reinforced how much this team has improved. That the Gabba has again become a fortress (10-1) will fortify the Lions, but Richmond know all about handling pressure. And playing away from the MCG is also not an issue in terms of ground dimensions, insists Tigers coach Damien Hardwick. "The good thing about [the Gabba], the dimensions are pretty similar to the MCG, so it's not going to be anything foreign to us," he said.
What will the Tigers do about Lachie Neale?To tag or not to tag? That's the question facing Hardwick when deciding how best to tame the Lions' dynamic onballer. Neale had 51 touches at the MCG a fortnight ago, 32 of which were handballs. Neale had 14 clearances and was instrumental in the Lions' fightback midway through the game. Should the Tigers opt to tag Neale, it could give his Lions' teammates greater freedom. Hardwick said the Tigers had much to debate. "We try and quell the influence where it is, at the source, but he is very agile at the stoppage, that's the strength of him [Neale]," Hardwick said.
Will Dylan Grimes again go to Charlie Cameron?You would think so, considering the success the Tigers' defender had on Cameron in round 23. Cameron was held to only seven touches, including one possession in the first half. What was clear was that Cameron was unhappy with some of Grimes' tactics, although the Tiger was later cleared by the AFL of any wrongdoing.
The Lions will hope coach Chris Fagan has settled the speedy forward, whose dash will be needed to trouble and stretch a Tigers' defence that is so proficient in helping each other out. Cameron would be wise to look to push Grimes up the ground then double back and turn this match-up into a foot race when the opportunity arises. He will also be needed to ensure the Lions have more ground balls inside attacking 50, for they were minus 17 in this area in round 23.
Can the Lions tame Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch?Yes, but this shapes as a major issue, particularly if Marcus Adams has another horror afternoon, as he did on Riewoldt when they last met. Adams, the former Bulldog, had completed a shutdown job on Tom Hawkins a week earlier, but Riewoldt made a statement early. He had four goals before Darcy Gardiner was moved on to him in the second term. Adams was switched to Trent Cotchin, who immediately converted a free kick, compounding a miserable game. Essendon great Matthew Lloyd says Adams is too often guilty of "ball watching". The Tigers will look to isolate Riewoldt at full-forward and, with space, he could run amok, particularly if there is excellent service again from Dion Prestia and Dustin Martin. Fagan may try and free up Adams to be more of a marking intercept threat.
Who will win and why?The Tigers will benefit from having frontline ruckman Toby Nankervis back from injury. Will the Lions push their wingmen forward of the ball, meaning their counterparts cannot get back early and outnumber the Lions' forwards? The Tigers like to have a spare man in defence. They will also hope small forwards Shai Bolton, Kane Lambert, Jason Castagna and Daniel Rioli can lock the ball inside attacking 50, ensuring repeated attempts at goal. The Lions will hope they can replicate their strong advantage in clearances of a fortnight ago, but it was a testament to the Tigers' overall set up that they still prevailed. If they can add greater polish when swarming forward, the Lions could find themselves one game away from a grand final.
Prediction: Richmond in a close one.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/final-questions-richmond-v-brisbane-qualifying-final-at-the-gabba-20190903-p52nbs.html
