They had all the running early. Across the opening quarter, it appeared the only thing they could do wrong was convert their chances.
And that ultimately proved costly for the Brisbane Lions, who squandered a 30-point lead after the first term to suffer an 8.16 (64) to 13.4 (82) defeat to the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
The reality was, it never should have been even that close.
Charlie Cameron in action for the Lions.Credit: via Getty Images
Brisbane dominated the contested possessions early on – 40 to the Giants’ 15 – and much of the contest was played in their forward pocket.
But they simply could not convert effectively in front of the sticks – the likes of Joe Daniher and Cam Rayner coming up with some misses that proved pivotal.
By contrast, GWS were clinical when the opportunity to strike presented itself, with Jesse Hogan’s three goals getting his side within a whisker and an inspired final quarter from Darcy Jones (two goals) lifting them over the line.
It was a brutal reality check, and one Lions coach Chris Fagan will need to address if they are to remain on track to attain the club’s first minor premiership.
Brent Daniels of the Giants celebrates kicking a goal during the round 22 Gabba clash.Credit: Getty
Such is the nature of the congested top eight, Brisbane could fall from second to fifth by the end of the round.
“The first quarter margin should have been even greater than it was, to be honest, so to a degree we let them off the hook, but I wouldn’t completely just blame it on accuracy,” Fagan said.
“I know the shots on goal differential is quite sizeable and would indicate that perhaps we should have won, and we had more inside 50s and all that, but I think after quarter time – in particular the second half of the game – their hunger to win the ball and to put pressure on us when they didn’t have the ball was better.
“We’ve got to now bounce back, and we haven’t had to bounce back for a while.”
Under-siege defence shows signs, but falls short
The Lions’ backline has been left decimated by injuries throughout the season, and the makeshift contingent fell a 15-minute charge short of getting the job done.
Jack Payne, Darcy Gardiner, Tom Doedee and Keidean Coleman were all absent from Brisbane’s go-to defence, while Eric Hipwood had even been floated as an option to gift to a tall back role before succumbing to a groin concern.
Only Payne will return this season among the genuine defenders, expected to make his comeback from a foot issue in two weeks.
Darragh Joyce returned from a fractured jaw and was gutsy, while Brendon Starcevich did a brilliant job on Giants star Toby Greene, keeping him to just four disposals and a clearance.
Unfortunately for the Gabba faithful, the Giants had enough firepower to come over the top, even with an inside 50 efficiency of just 39 per cent, as they took the lead for the first time deep into the last term and never looked back.
“You’d have to say after quarter time their forwards won those battles. It’s unusual for Harris [Andrews], he usually does really well on his opponent, but today I think Hogan had the better of him, and [Aaron] Cadman had the better of Darragh Joyce,” Fagan said.
“Both those lads tried their hardest as well, but just a little bit of class, a little bit of ball use that was hard to stop, their forwards worked together well to get them out in space at times.”
Will power shows life
What Will Ashcroft could become in the future is scary.
In his seventh game back from a cruel ACL rupture, Ashcroft’ energy simply harassed Greater Western Sydney out of the contest in the first quarter demolition.
Fresh off the news his younger brother, Levi, would join the Den in 2025, the 20-year-old’s willingness to put his head where no one else would won the Lions several turnovers.
And the Giants had no response, as Ashcroft’s speed, mark on the run and pinpoint kick for Charlie Cameron produced the moment of the quarter – the champion forward’s snap from the boundary bringing the Gabba to its feet.
By the end of the first term, he had 11 disposals, four clearances and two goal assists
From that point, Ashcroft was well contained, but he still went on to finish with the most disposals in the game (29), even as the Giants slowly but surely gained the ascendancy.
While it was all in vain, largely due to the men up front’s inability to convert, the Lions know there is a bright midfield future from this breakout star in the making.
“Our midfield group have been unbelievable for the last 10 weeks, and today they lowered their colours,” Fagan said.
“They kicked the first three goals of the second quarter and I think most of those came out of centre bounce clearance. It’s hard to be crit of our midfielders, they got beaten today.
“He [Ashcroft] has been building a little bit every week an he definitely was one would probably didn’t play below his standard – he actually played better than he did last week and the weeks before that.”
Will Cameron injury put a dent in Lions’ quest?
The sight of superstar forward Cameron limping on the sidelines, following a rogue celebration of all things, will give Lions’ pundits nightmares if it proves to be something sinister.
Cameron’s enthusiasm on and off the ball produced some standout moments – his sensational snap goal and desperate tackle chase among them.
The 30-year-old’s absence was clearly felt as he succumbed to an ankle injury, as from that point the Giants hit the front and rode the momentum home.
At that stage, the Lions led by 14-points. They would kick just four more behinds and concede six goals from that point.
