Can Brisbane Lions Overcome Geelong Cats in This Crucial AFL Clash?
Brisbane Lions have consistently struggled against the Geelong Cats, a fact that has been hard to ignore over the past decade. Every time these two teams clash, Geelong seems to have the upper hand, consistently posing tactical challenges for the Lions. Since Chris Fagan took the reins of Brisbane in 2017, they've faced significant hurdles against Chris Scott's Geelong. The Cats have often dominated the head-to-head battles, leaving Brisbane searching for answers.
One major issue for the Lions has been Geelong’s physicality, especially in the midfield. The likes of Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, and Cam Guthrie have historically overpowered Brisbane’s midfield stars like Lachie Neale and Jarryd Lyons. This has put Brisbane at a disadvantage, as winning the ball at the contest has proven to be critical against a team like Geelong, who thrives on out-muscling their opponents.
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The Lions have also faced issues moving the ball forward. Geelong’s defensive tactics, particularly their ability to create a spare man in defense and their half-forward line pressing up the field, have stifled Brisbane’s high-powered offense. It’s no surprise that while Brisbane has consistently ranked as a top offensive team, averaging around 60 points per game against Geelong shows a stark contrast in their usual scoring output. Geelong’s defense knows how to clog the forward line, forcing Brisbane into uncomfortable situations.
However, there have been close calls. Brisbane came tantalizingly close to breaking through at GMHBA Stadium in 2021 but were denied by a missed holding-the-ball call. In fact, the Lions have managed a few wins in recent years, including a crucial late victory in 2023 that showed they’re capable of standing toe-to-toe with Geelong.
Going into their next encounter, Brisbane will need to adapt their game plan. One key to success will be balancing their high-speed attacking play with patience, avoiding Geelong’s spare defenders like Tom Stewart. If they can maintain forward pressure and prevent Geelong’s half-forwards from pushing up and slipping into goal-scoring positions, Brisbane has a real shot at shifting the balance of power.
In this crucial match, the Lions need to solve their defensive positioning and ensure they don’t fall into Geelong’s well-executed traps. With some adjustments and by keeping their offensive prowess in check, Brisbane could finally break their Geelong curse and make a real push toward the Grand Final.
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