Lions roar some more: Round 12A wrap (Sunday)

Brisbane will head to the mid-season break at 7-5 after disposing of Hawthorn by 42 points.

In the first game of Sunday’s double header of the split round, Brisbane recorded an upset over the reigning premiers. The Lions ran riot in the second-half, kicking nine goals to none after Stuart Dew’s goal midway through the third term.

Hawthorn started well but couldn’t keep up late in the game, as Brisbane blew the margin out to seven goals at the final siren.

Jonathan Brown (99 DT/130 SC)led his Lions if (1==1) {document.getElementById(“link71″).style.display=”none”;} like a captain should, four second-half goals to add to one in the first term as well as18 possessions in a best on ground performance which should earn him three Brownlow votes.

Luke Power (154/162) was a force in the midfield laying 10 tackles to add to his 36 disposals. Simon Black (96/88) again oozed class and Justin Sherman (106/105) did his growing profile no harm with another good outing, including a nice goal from the pocket.

It seems as though Power and Black just keep going and never say die.

Michael Voss will have exceeded all expectations placed on him from the start of the season, with his charges heading into the mid-season break in the top four.

Brisbane will be sweating on the fitness of its only remaining ruckman, Mitch Clark but Voss labeled his injury just a tight muscle and will be helped considerably by the week off.

Hawthorn’s premiership

defence will again come under scrutiny after losing a game it really should have won.

Sam Mitchell (132/142) and Jordan Lewis (101/88) gave their all in the middle of the park and Brent Guerra (97/112) and Xavier Ellis (107/115) were good down back.

Brad Sewell (95/120) stats say he drew level with his opponent, Simon Black but the Hawk hard-man had nowhere near the effect on the game as the former Brownlow medalist.

The twin towers seem to be the barometer for the Hawks of recent times, Franklin and Roughead combining for just two goals and eight marks, to be fair the delivery after half-time wasn’t the greatest.

 

Across in Adelaide, North Melbourne was held to just three goals in a scrappy affair as the Crows strolled away in the last quarter to win by 44-points.

In driving rain the Roos kept up early, helped by the wet conditions as they couldn’t do anything special for Adam Simpson’s 300^th match.

I had some hope for North Melbourne this year, after Sunday’s game most of that hope has evaporated as will result in a bottom-eight and possibly bottom-four position this year. Hopefully they’ll show us some Shinboner spirit soon.

Three goals sits as the lowest total this year, putting more pressure on the already embattled Roos coach, Dean Laidley.

Scott Thompson (119/129) and Michael Doughty (132/139) both had 31 touches, which were made to be earnt hard. Jason ‘Porpoise’ Porplyzia (94/116) kicked three straight keeping up his fantastic accuracy record.

Hamish McIntosh (106/116) was really the only shining light, winning his ruck duel with Kurt Tippet. Cash cow Nathan Grima (90/113) had 20 touches which would have pleased his owners.

On the injury front, two popular fantasy picks, Brent Reilly (hamstring) and Jack Ziebell (leg) both succumbed to injuries that may see them missing weeks. Lindsay Thomas limped off late in the match to add further worry to the already unstable Roos outfit.

 

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