The boys are back home in the heartland of Australian Rules Football – Queensland.
Be prepared to chalk up the (Jonathan) Brownie points at home to make sure you can be ready for the next five games all played out in the space of a month.
Four games in the Sunshine State followed by a trip to the birthplace of Alistair Lynch and Mitch Robinson – Tassie is something all Lions fans wait in high anticipation as we stamp our authority on being the premiership favourite ($6.50 in the top line of betting if you don’t mind)
This extravaganza footy feast kicks off this Sunday night as we play Melbourne “away” at Metricon Stadium.
Sunday night will be the first of a three-game stint at Carrara, and while the Gabba is our home, those who were there in the early days of the Bears will feel somewhat nostalgic about this stint at our old stomping ground.
What do we say when we run out to play?
Dear to beat the Bear!
Waiting around all weekend for the game to get underway isn’t ideal and come 6 pm Sunday night I’ll be bloody fanging for it.
A couple of weeks ago you’d put this down as an easy Lions win, but Melbourne have regained their mojo of recent.
Maxy Gawn, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver are playing some of their best footy in years and the Dees have learnt how to kick straight.
Enough about our opponents.
Last week the mighty Brisbane Lions (proudly sponsored by Neds) made a statement to the competition that we are the real deal.
Our 20 point win over GWS was more than convincing, especially beating them on their patch.
So many highlights.
That goal from Cam Rayner from the boundary.
Rayner from the boundary. 👌pic.twitter.com/SPy6S0mbHX#AFLGiantsLions
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) July 18, 2020
Big Lincoln McCarthy taking a couple of hangers.
Lincoln McCarthy pulls down another 🙌 #AFLGiantsLions pic.twitter.com/dvqyiCXlrg
— AFL (@AFL) July 18, 2020
The Lions are simply a joy to watch right now.
We are starting to cement our spot in the top four, but we cannot afford to be complacent.
A beautiful non-hub stint in our home state awaits us and I expect we’ll kick off this feast of football chalking up another W against the Dees this Sunday night.
You may recall when we last played the Demons a man by the name of Eric Hipwood kicking five goals in the space of 15 minutes.
All hail Eric Hipwood 👑
Don't miss the final quarter on @Channel7! #AFLLionsDees pic.twitter.com/7rywbCrGxX
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 30, 2019
As much as I’d love a repeat effort from Eric this weekend, I just can’t see it happening.
So, rather than expecting him to boot five goals, I’m opting for three from our lanky tall foward.
2020 Brownlow Medalist Lachie Neale is averaging 27.6 disposals per game this season and is heading towards Winx-like odds to take Charlie (the medal, not Cameron) home.
The midfield battle between our Lachie and Christian Petracca will be one of the more highly anticipated this weekend.
Right now, the footy media is having a serious Petracca love-in and while he seems like a good kid, now is the time for Lachie to put him in his place and remind everyone why he is the clear $2.75 favourite for the medal.
30+ from our number 9 in another dominant performance is what I expect this Sunday.
No pressure mate.
Can't stop Lachie Neale 🧲 pic.twitter.com/qX7wjdOG4K
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 21, 2020