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No panic for 0-3 Lions, ‘damning number’ spurs Pies

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Zac Bailey looks dejected after Brisbane’s loss to Collingwood in round three, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

BRISBANE coach Chris Fagan concedes his 0-3 Lions are in a form slump but says he won’t be hitting the panic button following Thursday night’s loss to Collingwood.

For the third time this season Brisbane won the inside 50 count (56-43), but lost the match, with its three-pronged tall forward line struggling to take advantage of the extra supply.

LIONS v MAGPIES Full match coverage and stats

Lachie Neale (35 disposals, including 10 clearances) battled manfully despite rolling his ankle during the third quarter, although several of his teammates looked short of confidence.

Fagan said there was a lot to work to do, but believed the 2023 grand finalists could recover.

“We’re zero and three and there’s 20 games to go,” Fagan said following the 20-point loss.

“It’s not a great start, but let’s not catastrophise it either. We certainly haven’t had the start we hoped for. We’ve dropped two home games, which has been unusual for us.

“We’ve got a bit of work to do to find ourselves. There were some good glimpses of that tonight, but we’ve got to build on it.”

Although winning a lot of the statistical markers, Brisbane was unable to match Collingwood’s ferocious defensive intensity.

Fagan said they invited the Magpies’ pressure through over-handballing, dropped some marks inside forward 50 they should have taken, and particularly in the first quarter let the opposition transition the ball from defence too easily.

A few Lions continued slow starts to the season.

Charlie Cameron kicked 1.3, taking his season tally to 3.8, and is just lacking the polish around goal he has become known for, despite creating a number of chances.

Eric Hipwood was another that battled to hold his marks, while Oscar McInerney had his hands full with Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron in the ruck.

They were symptomatic of Lions that tried hard, but struggled to execute.

“Some of our players are not at their best at the moment. I can’t explain to you why,” Fagan said.

“That’s sport for you. Sometimes you go through form slumps and we’ve got a few that aren’t at their best at the moment so we’ve got to keep working away with those guys as well.

“These guys have been good players, so we won’t be pressing the panic button. I’ve trusted them for a long time, and they’ve delivered.

“I’m not going to jump off them just because we’ve lost three games in a row.

“We’ve played pretty well for the past five or six years and right now we’re just going through a little slump.

“That’s the life of a team sometimes … I’ve got to help them find their form again, that’s my job.”

Meanwhile, Collingwood coach Craig McRae was all smiles after his team got on the winners list for the first time this season.

The premiership coach said it was “clearly” a step forward from losses to Greater Western Sydney, Sydney and St Kilda.

“Our pressure was something we wanted to raise the bar on,” he said.

“It was a damning number we looked at earlier in the week that last year we were No.1 for pressure, or close to, and we’re 13th.

“It almost stung us. We all looked at the number and thought, ‘Come on, that’s not us’.

“So we tried to make a statement tonight in some ways, put it in front of the players’ faces. We’ve got to pressure the opposition better than what we were.”

McRae said he was pleased with the impact of veterans Scott Pendlebury, Jeremy Howe and skipper Darcy Moore after they’d been below their best early in the year.

“We’ve had a bit against us in terms of the pile on, but we’re a pretty proud group,” he said.

“You’ve got to get things started at some stage. 

“Sometimes it’s difficult to get off the mark. This is a tough competition, a really tough competition …. You can’t be off your game.”

‘Not even safe in our homes’: AFL world in shock as great shares awful clip of slur yelled at kids

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AFL champion Eddie Betts has shared a confronting video of a racist seemingly driving past his home and repeatedly yelling the N-word at what appear to be his children and their friends.

The Indigenous great posted the clips of security camera footage on Instagram on Thursday night.

It shows a car slowly driving past the house, where kids are shown playing basketball next to the property, yelling the slur multiple times.

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“Aboriginal kids deserve to be able to play safely, free from racism and abuse over the fence,” Betts said in the post.

“We are not even safe in our own homes. If you know who this is please let me them know that I’m open to having a chat about how much this hurts our kids.”

A screengrab from a video shared by Eddie Betts of a driver going past what appears to be his home, yelling the slur at a group of kids.Source: FOX SPORTS

The Western Bulldogs’ account, plus players and supporters shared their disgust and support for Betts and his family in response.

“That’s eff’d up my bro,” West Coast star Liam Ryan commented.

Melbourne’s Christian Petracca said: “Disgusting!!! Thinking of you and the family (heart emoji).”

Carlton champion Marc Murphy called the driver “weak as piss scum”.

‘I got sucked in’: Scott Pendlebury sweating on Match Review after ‘unsociable’ whack to Lachie Neale

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Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury is likely to be sweating on the Match Review after a whack to the guts of Lions star Lachie Neale.

The Magpies veteran was seen striking the dual Brownlow Medallist’s stomach with an open hand late in the third term.

Neale visibly grimaced in pain, fell to the ground and stayed down for a while.

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The question will be whether the incident, which was near a contest, will be considered off the ball and therefore intentional or careless.

If it is the latter he would be unlikely to cop a suspension.

“It was very uncharacteristic of Pendles, very unsociable as well,” said Leigh Montagna on Fox Footy.

“I think something like that, he might be getting a bit of a fine coming his way and hopefully that’s all.

“It just shows what this means to both these teams that he’s prepared to do that.”

George Hewett was fined, along with Neale, for a similar moment in Opening Round which Pendlebury himself cited post-game.

“He said he got a fine for a similar thing after the game,” Pendlebury said.

“I said sorry to him, I didn’t mean to get him right there.

“What will be will be, retaliator always gets caught, Mum taught me that, I got sucked in tonight.”

Meanwhile SEN’s Sam Edmund tweeted: “This is where the AFL ties itself in knots.

“Had the chance to suspend George Hewett and botched it. Didn’t suspend Neale for a retaliation strike either. So Scott Pendlebury can’t go for that can he? Both incidents while waiting at a stoppage.”

Grading every player in Collingwood’s bounce back win over the struggling Lions

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Collingwood saw their premiership hopes flashing before their eyes to start season 2024 and with the toughest road trip in footy before them, they took back control, beating Brisbane at the Gabba.

It was a back and forth contest across the evening, but the Magpies led most of the way and had the answers when needed.

You could feel the pressure early as the turnovers mounted. 0-4 for Collingwood versus 0-2 for Brisbane at the Gabba to start 2024. Both outcomes unacceptable.

It's the Lions now who sit 0-3, having burnt two home games, with Melbourne, Geelong and GWS in the next month. Their season could slip away quickly.

See our grades for every player in the game below:

Brisbane

Dayne Zorko – A

Continued his excellent start to the season. Uses the ball so well and thriving with more time in the middle.

Lachie Neale – A

Took control of the game in the second quarter and fought hard across the evening, despite being the target of some Collingwood niggle across the night. Couldn't have done much more.

Hugh McCluggage – B+

Always makes things happen when he gets the footy. It doesn't always pay off, but he took the game on when Brisbane needed a spark tonight.

Cam Rayner – B+

Kicked two big goals and found some footy around the ground. Can hold his head high.

Lincoln McCarthy – B

Was very involved in the first half around the ball and kicked a big goal in the fourth.

Josh Dunkley – B

A typical Josh Dunkley game, this one. Seven score involvements, six tackles, did the defensive work on-ball. Nothing flashy.

Jarrod Berry – B

Darcy Wilmot – C+

Provided some rebound off half back, but you can feel the Coleman-shaped hole in this back six right now.

Oscar McInerney – C+

Zac Bailey – C+

Had 20 disposals and kicked a goal, but was still pretty quiet for the most part.

Jaspa Fletcher – C

Charlie Cameron – C

Kicked 1.3. Missed his chances when they bobbed up. Beaten by Quaynor across the night.

Callum Ah Chee – C

Brandon Starcevich – C

Harris Andrews – C

Has Collingwood put together the blueprint of how to limit Harris Andrews' influence? He took seven marks, but wasn't a factor.

Ryan Lester – C-

Darcy Fort – C-

Chris Fagan loves playing two ruckmen… not sure it's worked more than a couple of times, though.

Noah Answerth C-

Bobby Hill kicked two on him in the first quarter.

Jack Payne – C-

Joe Daniher D+

Clearly beaten by Billy Frampton.

Deven Robertson – D

A tough first half with a few fumbles in key moments. Subbed out in the fourth.

Eric Hipwood – F

-4 ranking points through the first three quarters of the game. Dropped marks, beaten badly by Billy Frampton. Dirty night.

Kai Lohmann – N/A

Subbed in late.

SENsync 728x90-DW

Collingwood

Jamie Elliott – A+

Jamie Elliott was the man for the task, kicking two big goals in the final quarter, to go with two more earlier in the night. Took 50-50 opportunities and turned them into Collingwood goals. He was the difference.

Tom Mitchell – B+

Rebounded well after a poor game last week. Used the ball well by hand and laid seven tackles.

Darcy Moore – B+

After a tough start to the year, Darcy Moore found some form tonight. He was still aggressive with his intent and positioning, but it went his way tonight.

John Noble – B+

Playing like a player with a point to prove. John Noble had his best game in some time on Thursday night, providing plenty of run and dash from half back.

Isaac Quaynor – B+

Did as good a job on Charlie Cameron as you can, really.

Billy Frampton – B+

Forget being the decoy defensive forward, Billy Frampton is a pure one-on-one key defender and is thriving in the role so far in 2024.

Bobby Hill – B

Kicked three goals in the first quarter and gave the Lions some flashbacks! Mostly unsighted from then on, but damage done early.

Scott Pendlebury – B

Nick Daicos – B

Hasn't been his electric best this last fortnight, but we hold him to a very high standard now. Had a strong fourth quarter when the game was on the line.

Brayden Maynard – B

His usual fiery self.

Brody Mihocek – B

Somehow ended up with three goals despite being invisible for most of the night. One was a mark over the goal line and the other a snap from the impossible angle. Took his chances.

Jeremy Howe – B

Jack Crisp – C+

Surprisingly started as the sub. Came on during the third term and was lively. Kicked a big goal in the fourth.

Josh Daicos C+

Not as prolific as last week, but didn't have to be with the Collingwood engine room significantly better overall.

Mason Cox – C+

Beau McCreery – C+

Kicked his two goals. Could've had a bigger night with some luck.

Patrick Lipinski – C

Jordan De Goey C

Hasn't been a great start to the season for De Goey. Using the ball poorly and struggling to influence from the middle.

Will Hoskin-Elliott – C

Reef McInnes – D+

Darcy Cameron D

Barely sighted across the evening. Has Mason Cox overtaken him as the preferred ruckman?

Finlay Macrae – D

Subbed out early in the third quarter. Minimal impact in the first half after being given the start.

Lachie Schultz – D

One disposal in the first half. A big shot for goal in the last quarter that hit the post. They can talk about positioning and defensive running all they like … they gave up a future first-round pick for his talents. Needs to do more.

Magpies soar to first win as Lions slump to 0-3

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Jamie Elliott celebrates a goal during Collingwood’s clash against Brisbane in round three, 2024. Picture: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD has given its wobbly premiership defence an injection of life with a rousing 20-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday night.

With the return of a defensive ferocity that had been missing the first three weeks, the Magpies soared to a 14.8 (92) to 10.12 (72) victory in the Grand Final rematch.

LIONS v MAGPIES Full match coverage and stats

They trailed by five points at half-time, then kicked five goals to one in the third to earn some breathing space and stormed home in the last term to send many of the 34,022 home fans scurrying for the exits early.

While Collingwood now moves to a 1-3 win-loss record, the Lions are floundering at 0-3 with a tough month ahead.

Their Gabba fortress has now been penetrated for a second straight time in 2024.

Craig McRae’s personnel and positional changes worked a treat, with Nick Daicos (30 disposals and seven score involvements) back to his dazzling and creative best from half-back, alongside recalled running defender John Noble (24).

Jamie Elliott kicked four goals, with his final major symptomatic of the Magpies’ desperation, pinning Dayne Zorko holding the ball and then converting his set shot.

Collingwood finished with 85 tackles to Brisbane’s 53, a whopping 16 of which came inside forward 50.

The Magpies were beaten at the stoppages (42-34) and inside 50s (56-43), but in a classic contrast of styles, they forced the Lions into turnovers and exploded into action on the rebound.

Veterans Tom Mitchell and Scott Pendlebury were important in the midfield, Jordan De Goey had some nice moments, and Billy Frampton, Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore worked well in defensive tandem.

After a dominant second quarter grabbed it the lead at half-time, Brisbane really struggled to score, with it three-pronged tall forward line rarely marking the ball inside 50.

Lachie Neale was incredible in the second term and finished with 35 touches that included 10 clearances while Zorko (30) and Hugh McCluggage (29) battled hard.

The result is a second straight loss at the Gabba, where the Lions were unbeaten in 2023.

After a nervous start from both teams that saw plenty of unforced turnovers, Collingwood was first to settle.

Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill was again tormenting the Lions, kicking three first-quarter goals and the Magpies applied a ton of pressure at the contest and ran in waves once they won the ball.

Conversely, Brisbane went long to its tall forwards, who couldn’t grab a mark, and watched the Pies link up from half-back via Noble and Daicos, who were both heavily involved in goalscoring chains.

The match changed dramatically in the second quarter.

Led by co-captain Neale’s 13 disposals that included five clearances and a calm set shot that began his team’s comeback, Brisbane camped inside its forward 50 to arrest the lead by the half.

On the back of 14 clearances to three, it generated 21 inside 50s to two and kicked 4.5 as the Magpies went scoreless.

Cam Rayner pinned Darcy Cameron holding the ball and as the siren sounded for half-time, put his team in front with an arrow from 50m.

Brisbane’s tough road to the top four, and maybe the top eight
Three matches and three losses for the Lions leaves them in a precarious early-season predicament. Although they still have 20 matches remaining, the coveted top four looks a long way off, and on current form the top eight will be their primary focus. The next month is full of challenges as well, with North Melbourne up next in Gather Round, followed by Melbourne at the MCG, Geelong at the Gabba and Greater Western Sydney at Manuka Oval. Chris Fagan needs a few of his troops to find some form and find it fast.

Pendlebury’s out of character action
During a strong bounce-back performance that netted him 21 touches and five tackles, Scott Pendlebury had a strange, out of character moment in the third quarter. With a ball-up about to occur on centre wing, the Magpies champion used an open hand to hit Lachie Neale in the stomach, with some modicum of force. It was enough to drop the dual Brownlow medallist and earn a free kick. It’s unlikely to go any further, but the Pies might cast a nervous eye to the Match Review Officer’s findings on Friday.

Fagan back on the bench
After returning to the coaches’ box in 2023 following many years on the bench, Chris Fagan made a return to the boundary line against the Magpies. Fagan has never been tied to the box and often said he enjoys the interaction with his players when he’s beside the field. Will he continue for the rest of the season after that result?

BRISBANE                   1.3     5.8     6.10     10.12 (72)  
COLLINGWOOD           5.3     5.3     10.6      14.8 (92)  

GOALS
Brisbane: Rayner 2, Neale, McCluggage, McCarthy, Lohmann, Fletcher, Daniher, Cameron, Bailey
Collingwood:
Elliott 4, Mihocek 3, Hill 3, McCreery 2, McInnes, Crisp

BEST
Brisbane: Neale, Zorko, McCluggage, Andrews, McCarthy, Rayner
Collingwood:
N.Daicos, Noble, Elliott, Frampton, J.Daicos, Mitchell

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Collingwood: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Kai Lohmann (replaced Deven Robertson in the fourth quarter)
Collingwood:
Jack Crisp (replaced Fin Macrae in the third quarter)

Crowd: 34,022 at the Gabba 

‘Come on’: Greats roast ‘petrified’ goal umpires as AFL thriller slows to a crawl yet again

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The AFL’s goal review system has again come under fire for overuse, with the flagwavers in Brisbane and Collingwood’s Round 3 opener criticised.

Round 2’s Adelaide vs Geelong match saw a 37-minute opening quarter amid a “mountain of indecision” as any potentially touchy call was sent to the ARC for review.

The trend only continued in the opening term of the Grand Final rematch, which lasted 33 minutes despite just six goals being kicked.

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It appears the blunder in Adelaide’s loss to Sydney last year, where the goal review process was not followed properly arguably costing the Crows a spot in the finals, has seen the umpires – whether officially told by their bosses, or off their own back – calling for a review much more often to avoid mistakes.

But this comes at the cost of delays, and with all goals supposed to be reviewed on the way back to the centre bounce, it has left commentators and ex-players alike frustrated.

Brisbane’s opening goal of the game through Cam Rayner was reviewed for whether it hit the goalpost, despite there being well over a ball’s space between the actual ball and the post.

Early goal reviews including for a Cam Rayner major left fans frustrated – though the ball was closer than this screengrab shows.Source: FOX SPORTS

“Aww, come on,” commentator Brian Taylor said on Seven as he saw the size of the gap.

Hawthorn great Luke Hodge added: “This is why the ball should be going back to the middle.

“When the ball goes back, every goal gets reviewed, that’s what should be done. So we just wasted 30 seconds.”

The following goal, by Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott, was certainly closer though it was impossible to tell how close it was to the post due to the speed and rotation of the ball; instead requiring a check of the Ultra Edge, but there was no spike.

It took another 30-odd seconds to declare the goal.

“There was way too much of this (last) Friday night in Adelaide,” James Brayshaw said.

“And those first two, certainly the Rayner goal, I don’t know how you’re sending that up?”

Brian Taylor replied: “Petrified of making mistakes.”