Before we get stuck into previewing this week’s game, let me just say – HOW BLOODY GOOD WERE THE BOYS LAST WEEK?!?
Much like that other Queensland icon, the Big Brother house, the Lions WERE ON FIRE against a hapless St. Kilda.
The Charlie Cameron Show was in full-flight, the boys had a convincing 58-point win over the Saints and for the first time in a long time, us Lions fans never felt so comfortable during a game of footy.
It was special, but much like the Yazz hit from 1988, ‘The Only Way Is Up’ for the Brisbane Lions in season 2019.
Because right now, things can only get better.
But enough from my personal collection of bangers.
This Sunday, the boys return to the mighty Gabbatoir to face Melbourne, a club that once called the Gabba home (look it up).
Given the lack of snow in Queensland, expect the Gabba to be 100% Lions fans (as it should always be) and our Demon friends to be crying into their cheese platters back in Toorak as the Brisbane Lions deliver a world of pain to men in red and blue.
Picture this,
The ball is bounced, the Big O gets the tap out, ball to Neale, kicks inside the Lions 50 to Eric Hipwood, who sort of shanks it to the side of the point post but it avoids going out of bounds and instead, Charlie Cameron scoops the ball up and goes BANG for a ridiculous goal from the pocket – all in the first 30 seconds of the game.
The Gabbatoir goes bonkers.
“You can’t stop him!”
Too good, Charlie Cameron. 👏 pic.twitter.com/A6iDJ860Cw
— FOX FOOTY (@FOXFOOTY) June 24, 2019
The Lions are sitting in the eight, but we can’t be comfortable just yet.
Much like the feeling that you get when you go househunting and you find somewhere you like, all the feelings are there – we like the neighbourhood, we like the view, like what it has to offer but are thinking in the back of our heads “Can we afford this?”, “Do we belong here?” – of course, we do.
Playing at home is like insurance for making sure we stay in the eight.
It’s a fortress for us.
We are five from six at the Gabba so far in 2019 and there is no reason other than believing our own hype that we can’t beat Melbourne, who despite having a good win over Freo last week, have been an embarrassment to Football this season.
Expect the Dees to be competitive for a little bit, only to be run over by a fast-finishing Lions in front of our adoring home fans.
Two 40+ plus wins in a row would be excellent for our percentage, but I’m playing it safe and going the 1-39.
Lachie Neale has been a bit of a magnet since coming to Brisbane.
He also likes getting plenty of the footy.
Expect him to find plenty of contested possession and a few clearances on Sunday and basically dominate the Vulture/Stanley Street ends (the wings at the Gabba in footy mode) much like Ricky Ponting or Allan Border did at the crease.
He chose the Lions because he saw the light and he’s reaping the benefits.
They might not be playing on each other, but the match-up between both Lachie Neale and Clayton Oliver from the Dees should make for a great contest in the midfield. Our boy should dominate and find himself with yet another case of serious leather poisoning by the final siren.
Unlike the technology used for the AFL Score Review system, we’ve got the best, most effective and reliable Cam in the League – Cameron Rayner.
Expect Cam to continue his good form of recent by finding plenty of the Football and booting a few handy sausage rolls for the Lions.
Sounds good to me!
Ned Merrett-Murray is Neds resident Brisbane Lions nuffie. The child of the ultimate Brisbane Lions parents, whose mother rattled tins to save Fitzroy and Dad dined with Christopher Skase at Carrara, Ned was a Brisbane Lions diehard from birth.
Ned constantly reminds his wife and kids that 2001, 02 and 03 Grand Final’s were the best days of his life and nothing compares to it.
Ned never misses a game, training session, JLT, AFLW, NEAFL and Fitzroy Ammos match.
He currently lives in Woolongabba with his wife Leigh and twins Chris and Brad and pet fish Vossy, Browny and Blacky.