Footy on a Sunday night. Not sure anyone asked for it, but here we are. This wasn’t a pretty game by any stretch, far from it in fact. However, it was worth watching for reasons which I’ll get into that give us an indication where these two sides are truly at right now.
Brisbane were the better team for the entire match. Despite injuries, horrific goal kicking, and at times general poor skill execution, Brisbane owned the contest from start to finish. This does not reflect well on Gold Coast. They couldn’t get their hands on the thing tonight, and when they did, they inevitably turned it over. They lowered their colours, simple as that.
Funnily enough, Gold Coast had an opportunity in the fourth quarter to take some momentum and steal it. Brisbane looked to be tiring from the lack of a full bench to rest their stars. The Suns kicked a few in a row and seemed to be running a little better. That optimism, if you can call it that, was short-lived when Charlie Cameron took an easy one at the back of a contest into an open goal and the game was as good as over. A good win for the Lions all things considered.
Here’s all that mattered from the clash.
Dayne Zorko
I’ve been critical of Dayne Zorko in the past for his on field behaviour, especially in these games, but credit needs to be given for what he did in this game.
35 kicks in a game of footy is rare these days in the heavy handball, run and gun style of play that dominates the landscape of the modern game. Add into it that he went at over 70 percent efficiency with over 800 metres gained and it has to be said that he was monumental tonight. In a game where injuries took their toll, he was instrumental in pushing the ball forward all night long.
He also had the three behinds which, if he snuck through at least one or two of them, would of made for an even more remarkable stat line. With that said though, he well and truly put his side on his back tonight and ensured the result was never in doubt. In an injury hit side it often takes heroic individual performances to inspire sides to dig deep, and he was that guy tonight.
Well played Zorko, absolutely owned this game of football. Now, lets get into these injuries.
Brisbane Carnage
Let’s start with pre-game, where Brandon Starcevich was a late out with what looked to be a calf issue. This meant the sub was now Logan Morris, who had earlier in the day had a run around in the two’s. Always an interesting choice for a sub, given he played earlier, however what came next was entirely unexpected.
Lincoln Mccarthy went down early in the first with what looked to be a serious knee issue. Morris came into the game (I’m sure the plan was never for him to play a full game, but these things are always possible) and had somewhat of a decent impact in the end, with one goal three behinds from five disposals.
Next out was Noah Answerth, who suffered a concussion at the knee of a Jed Walter hanger attempt. These ones never look great, but it is the risk of our game. We can’t take these marks out of the game, their sewn into the fabric of it.
Finally, in the second quarter, Darcy Gardiner went down with a dislocated knee. Shocking look on the replay, thankfully was able to come off under his own steam. He had started well with two first quarter goals and may have been in line for somewhat of a breakout forward line performance.
Given all of these injuries, you’d think Gold Coast would have run out the game the better side. You’d be wrong to think that.
Lack of Heart, Energy, Skill etc etc…
Make no mistake, this was a woeful effort from the Gold Coast Suns. I thought these sorts of performances were behind them, I think we need to be ultra critical of what happened in this game.
The only reason the score line looks marginally respectable is down to Brisbane’s horrible goal kicking. The Lions kicked zero goals nine behinds in the third quarter to Gold Coast’s two goals one behind. The game should have been over at three quarter time.
The fact of the matter is Gold Coast for large parts of the game couldn’t get their hands on the ball. When they did, they regularly turned it over badly. Their inside 50 entries left a lot to be desired (as a Port Adelaide supporter, I can tell you all about how this affects your chances of winning a game of football) and they regularly kicked to contests in a way that favoured the defence. Harris Andrews had himself a cruisy day down there, regularly just having it kicked directly to him.
As I mentioned in the intro, Gold Coast, despite everything, had some momentum in the fourth quarter after Ben Ainsworth kicked his goal. The margin came back to roughly four goals and the Suns boys seemed to be the fitter side. This lasted all of two minutes and Brisbane just shut the game down with late goals to Cameron and Dunkley. A good side would seize on this fitness advantage and run over the top; the Suns aren’t a good side.
I’m more than aware that the Suns are still a young side. They’ve blooded a lot of new guys this year and their on field list is very different to past years. With that said, they needed to show way more tonight than what they did. Brisbane may be some way back to their best, but a side with a killer instinct runs over the top and wins this game of football. Gold Coast just don’t have it.
I hope they improve soon, but after that showing tonight, forget finals. I’m very comfortable to write them off this year, again.
The Curious Case of a Gold Coast Midfield
You can’t trust this Suns midfield right now. Noah Anderson hasn’t looked right for a couple of weeks, lowering his disposal numbers and really looking toothless with the ball. Matt Rowell’s influence can fluctuate wildly from week to week. Touk Miller is not going to win you a game of football.
Sam Flanders was good and has been good for the best part of the year. He seemed to get around the ground well and was the most impactful Suns player today. He’s one that’s really growing before our eyes.
I’m really interested to see what the evolution of the Suns’ midfield looks like. There is a mix amongst this young team that will guide them for the next ten years, I’m sure of that. We just haven’t seen it yet. They were owned tonight by Neale, McCluggage and Dunkley. These guys are experienced campaigners that just get the job done, week in, week out.
Do any of the Suns’ midfielders have a ceiling as high as Neale? Probably not, he is a dual Brownlow medallist after all. Very few players have a ceiling that high. But do they have a player with the ceiling of Dunkley? Right now, I don’t think so. Maybe in time, but from what I’m seeing right now I’m not sure this mix can take them to the next level without at least improving their consistency. I’ll be watching them intently in the next month to see where they go from here.
Harris Andrews
I briefly touched on him earlier, but Harris Andrews had a strong showing tonight. I think it’s fair to say he’s well and truly back to his best football.
12 marks today and rarely beaten, he seemed to be at every single contest and looked ultra reliable. Without his leadership and skill, there is a case to be made that Gold Coast may have found an easier time to score, and potentially overrun the Lions and win the game. He just didn’t let anything pass without it going through him first.
He never looks flustered or unsure of himself, and his ability to get a fist in late to affect a spoil is possibly the best in the comp. Ben King kicked the three goals today, however, they were not all directly on Andrews and so I can’t say King won the match up. Andrews was immense tonight. His return to form will go a long way to pushing Brisbane back up the ladder.
The Side Notes
One of those duality of man type performances that we’ve come to expect from Joe Daniher. Did some good things including a great goal from outside 50 early in the game. Did some terrible things such as missing easy shots directly in front of goal and marking, playing on immediately to then fat the ball out on the full off the snap and having a laugh about it. God he’s frustrating.
Mac Andrew did some nice things again today. He seems to have turned a corner with those performances that left you scratching your head at times last year. Impressing me more and more each week.
Jarrod Berry did a bit tonight for Brisbane. He’s the sort of player than can often go missing however tonight he looked quite effective with his disposal. Players in his tier at Brisbane will dictate how far they go this year. Important for him and others to step up like they dBr tonight.
I’ve touched on it a few times, but Brisbane’s goal kicking could have cost them the game. Zero goals nine behinds in a quarter is woeful. Needs to be a little watch on their accuracy going forward.
Others at the mongrel disagree with this view, but if I’m running the Gold Coast Suns, I trade Jack Lukosius. He’s going nowhere, he’s playing all over the ground and has done his whole career. Clearly, they don’t know what to do with him. Get him out and get some value back for him while you can. If they truly want to get serious as a club, either set him in a position and leave him there or get rid of him. Right now, he’s offering next to nothing in my opinion.
What Mattered Most
It probably came down to simply owning and being better with the footy tonight. Brisbane was more efficient moving the ball than the Gold Coast (goal kicking aside of course, if results went the other way, you could bet what I would’ve written here) and weight of numbers in terms of centre clearances and inside 50’s tell the tale fairly well tonight.
This was a good win for Brisbane. They really showed guts and determination to overcome some tough odds tonight and grind it out. If I’m a Brisbane supporter, I take a lot of heart from this game. With a softer draw upcoming, who knows where they can get back to.
Gold Coast fans, just move on from this one. Nothing to be gained from it. A poor showing in a game I think most expected much more from them in.
Next week Brisbane takes on the Adelaide Crows in what has now turned into an interesting game of footy. Both sides have improved since the start of the year and its suddenly a tough game to pick a winner in. I’m going with the crows, purely because it’s their home game. Gold Coast takes on North Melbourne. Enjoy that victory.
