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Brisbane might be just warming up

By Ryan Hadji

7 Rounds into the 2009 season and the ladder is starting to take shape. After being on the receiving end of a Football lesson by the best in the league two weeks ago, the Lions have re-grouped and defeated a very dangerous but flat Essendon outfit and Richmond on the road. While the Crows lost another showdown and blew a half time lead last week to get touched up by the Doggies.

From their best 22, the Lions are missing Dalziell, Selwood, Charman and Leuenberger through injury, and the best news for Brisbane fans- I don’t think they’ve played any where near their best footy. 5 weeks ago assistant coach Justin Leppitsch conceded the Lions hadn’t adjusted to Voss’s new game plan, but like any side under a new coach, give them more time and the results will show.

Adelaide has surprised me right from the start of the season. They had what it took to knock off Collinwood in Round 1 and were super competitive against St.Kilda in Round 2. In Round 3 they were good in patches against Fremantle but couldn’t manage to put them away until deep in the last quarter. They were right in the contest against the Cats in Round 4 up until ¾ time, but were ran off their feet in the last quarter. In the showdown they were always playing catch-up and they couldn’t match the Power’s pace. Last week they were scrappy and got blown away in the 3rd quarter. In all their games this season the Crows haven’t really had the speed to dominate matches or really hurt sides when they can; maybe this ageing side is starting to fall behind the 8 ball?

The Lions go into the game without Selwood through concusion from last week and will be replaced by Matt Austin, while the Crows go unchanged.

I read today that Adelaide has won 2 of their last 3 clashes at the GABBA but seriously who gives a flying? Brisbane are growing in every facet of the game and have this new enthusiastic, hard-working attitude under coach Michael Voss, while Adelaide who’ve got some talented key position players don’t have a midfield that’s performed good enough in recent weeks. Purely on form I staunchly believe the Lions will smash the Crows, but Neil Craig is such a good coach you can’t but help it think if he’s got an ace up sleeve.