Lions pick up want-away Maloney

Updated October 12, 2012 12:46:17

The Melbourne Demons have confirmed Brent Moloney will be joining the Brisbane Lions next season.

Melbourne says it will not match the offer made by the Lions, but has thanked Moloney for his contribution on and off the field over eight seasons.

Free agent Moloney arrived in Brisbane on Thursday for a medical ahead of signing a two-year deal with the Lions.

The 28-year-old has played 145 AFL games, 23 with Geelong and 122 with the Demons, but fell out of favour under new coach Mark Neeld and played just 15 senior matches this year.

Several clubs showed interest in the strongly-built ball-winner, but Moloney's manager Bruce Kaider said a meeting with Lions coach Michael Voss swayed him towards Brisbane.

"One of the things that attracted me most to Brisbane was the opportunity to be part of a midfield that features not only one of the game’s most accomplished players in Simon Black, but also an exciting group of young players," Moloney said in a statement.

"I'm confident that I have plenty of good football in me and I can’t wait to get stuck in to preseason training with my new team-mates."

Meanwhile, free agent Tom Murphy will leave Hawthorn after agreeing to terms with the Gold Coast Suns.

Murphy played 95 games for the Hawks after being drafted in 2004 and was a member of the club's leadership group for the past four years.

In a statement, Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson wished Murphy well and thanked him for his service.

"Tom has made a valuable contribution during his eight years at Hawthorn Football Club and I'm sure he will be an excellent leader and teacher for the younger players at Gold Coast," Clarkson said.

"He is much admired and respected by our playing and coaching group and we wish him well in his next AFL opportunity."

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 12, 2012 11:45:44

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Black re-signs with Lions

Updated September 13, 2012 15:09:30

Brisbane's triple premiership player Simon Black has agreed to a new one-year contract with the Lions.

Black's future had been under a degree of doubt but the opportunity to play a role in the development of the Lions' youthful roster appealed to the 33-year-old.

"It's fantastic to extend my career another year at the club and I'm excited and thrilled to be a part of the playing group going forward into next year," Black said in a statement.

"We're under no illusions as to how much further we've got to improve, but there's some good signs there and the group is really tight, united, and there's some really strong mateship."

Black was an integral part of the Lions' three straight premierships from 2001 to 2003 and he also collected individual accolades such as the Brownlow Medal (2002) and Norm Smith Medal (2003).

He ended 2012 with 314 senior appearances under his belt, 19 shy of the club's all-time record held by Kevin Murray (Fitzroy).

He only needs five matches next season to move past former team-mate Marcus Ashcroft's record of 318 appearances for the post-merger club.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted September 13, 2012 15:09:30

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Hawks account for Lions

Updated June 17, 2012 16:28:57

Hawthorn consolidated its position inside the top eight with a comfortable 65-point win over Brisbane at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawks triumphed 19.21 (135) to 11.4 (70) despite a sluggish start, the victory moving the preseason premiership favourites to an 8-4 record from their 12 matches.

Lance Franklin led the goal kicking with five majors, while Shaun Burgoyne, Luke Breust, Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughead and Paul Puopolo slotting doubles.

Captain Jonathan Brown and Dayne Zorko both kicked three goals for the Lions, who led by seven points at the first change.

Zorko added 24 disposals to his three majors, an impressive effort in just fifth senior appearance.

Franklin says taking command of the contests in the second quarter helped established the Hawks' dominance.

"We were able to get out hands on it and get it forward," he told Grandstand.

"We were able to finish off strong. We knew that Brisbane was going to come out strong and they did.

"We fought it out four quarters, which is pretty good."

Franklin's five-goal tally extends his lead in the Coleman Medal standings, but he does not feel his improved form in recent weeks can be put down to anything in particular.

"Nothing has really changed, I've just been going at it at training and today it came off, which is good," he said.

The Lions' most recent performance had been an upset Gabba win over top-placed West Coast.

They threatened to claim another big scalp with a promising start against the Hawks, kicking three of the last four goals of the opening term to take the lead into quarter-time.

The Hawks were not helped by some poor kicking for goal, while Brown kicked two goals for the opening quarter and Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell was well held by Andrew Raines.

But the Hawks took control in the second term as they dominated in the midfield to outscore the Lions 4.6 to 1.1 for the quarter and take a 16-point lead into the main break.

Mitchell lifted in the second term, while Brown did not add to his quarter-time goal tally until deep in the last.

Burgoyne had a big influence in the midfield in the second quarter to help spark the Hawks, while Franklin used his pace to pick up nine touches for the term, including two goals.

One of those came from a 55-metre bomb, after Franklin won a free kick with a ferocious tackle on opponent Matt Maguire.

The Lions briefly narrowed the margin to 10 points when Raines kicked the opening goal of the second half.

But they did not score again until a Zorko goal nine minutes into the last quarter, by which stage the Hawks had surged 59 points clear.

Burgoyne snapped one goal and helped set up another in the third quarter, while Cyril Rioli capped the term with a brilliant turn and snap after pouncing on a ground ball.

Three classy last-quarter goals from Franklin ensured Hawthorn buried the Lions.

Hawthorn: 19.21 (135) - Franklin 5, Breust 2, Burgoyne 2, Puopolo 2, Gunston 2, Roughead 2, Mitchell, Savage, Rioli, Hill

Brisbane: 11.4 (70) - Zorko 3, Brown 3, Cornelius, Polkinghorne, Rich, Raines, Bewick

AAP/ABC

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, hawthorn-3122, brisbane-4000

First posted June 17, 2012 15:55:54

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Lions roar late to beat West Coast

Updated June 03, 2012 18:10:32

Brisbane continued the round of upsets in the AFL by sealing a heart-stopping victory over West Coast by two points at the Gabba on Sunday.

In a terrific final quarter, the Lions kicked eight goals to five to get over the line by 16.6 (102) to 15.10 (100).

Brisbane had used the long bomb kick to good effect throughout the game, but the clinching goal at the 33-minute mark was the best of the lot.

With the game on the line, James Polkinghorne unleashed a barrel from more than 60m out, and it went through to the delight of the crowd.

Josh Drummond was one of the stand-out performers for the Lions, kicking three goals from outside 50, and racking up five marks and 26 disposals.

He told Grandstand that the win was a breakthrough for Brisbane in standing up to and defeating one of the top-tier clubs.

"We've been a bit disappointing against the better sides, and we've won the games we were probably expected to win," he said.

"We've been setting ourselves against the top four sides and we've been coming up short, so to be able to do that today, before the bye should give us a whole lot of confidence."

Super-sub Josh Green created havoc in the Eagles' defence when he came on for the final term. Green kicked three vital goals in an impressive display which lifted his team-mates.

"That's exactly what you want from your half-forward coming on late," Drummond said.

"He probably won us the game off his boot - we were 20 points down and he kicked three in the final quarter, that's a pretty big performance in 30 minutes of football."

From the opening bounce the Lions put pressure on the league leaders, with fierce tackling and harrying forcing errors by the Eagles.

"Against sides like Collingwood, Essendon, North Melbourne, we have started poorly, and you can't give good sides a start like that," Drummond said.

"Today our focus was the first 10 minutes, the first quarter, and then just fill in from there."

Despite losing the hit-outs 75-29 to West Coast's star tandem of Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox, Brisbane fought hard for the inside ball, winning the clearances by 45-44.

The Lions led by eight points at quarter time and 11 points at the half before the visitors rebounded in the third quarter.

The home crowd was unhappy with the officiating - West Coast was awarded 21 free kicks, compared to 12 for the Lions.

In particular in the third term, West Coast kicked four goals from free kicks including one to Matt Priddis as a result of a free and a 50-metre penalty.

Both sides have the bye next week, with West Coast (8-2) now setting itself for a match at Subiaco Oval against Carlton in round 12, while Brisbane (4-6) prepare for Hawthorn at the MCG.

Lions: 16.6 (102) - Drummond 3, Green 3, Polkinghorne 3, Merrett, Bewick, Polec, Cornelius, Brown, Rich, Zorko

Eagles: 15.10 (100) - Priddis 3, Cox 2, Hurn 2, Darling, Lynch, Schofield, Hill, Hams, Selwood, Swift, Masten

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First posted June 03, 2012 16:12:20

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Shuey to miss Lions clash

Updated May 28, 2012 18:54:36

West Coast will be without Luke Shuey for its round 10 encounter with Brisbane after the star midfielder was charged with striking in Sunday's Western Derby.

Shuey was booked for an intentional hit on Fremantle's Paul Duffield in the final term of the Eagles' eight-goal win at Subiaco.

He has a clean record but the level three charge carries a two-match ban which can be lessened to a one-week suspension if he enters an early guilty plea.

If Shuey contests the charge and loses he will be effectively without football for three weeks with West Coast having the bye in round 11, meaning he would serve the second match of his ban when the Eagles face Carlton on June 14.

But it is likely the club will enter a guilty plea so that John Worsfold will have his midfield ace back to face his touted Blues counterparts in round 12.

Bombers forward David Zaharakis can avoid a one-week suspension of his own if he pleads guilty to striking Greater Western Sydney's Tomas Bugg on Saturday night.

The absence of prior incidents on Zaharakis' record means an early plea can cut his sentence to a reprimand and carryover points.

His Essendon team-mates Jake Carlisle and Alwyn Davey can accept fines for wrestling incidents in the Bombers' win at Showgrounds Stadium, as can their Giants opponents Jeremy Cameron and Taylor Adams.

North Melbourne's Luke Delaney, Levi Greenwood, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito, Jamie MacMillan and Nathan Grima and Lions players Jonathan Brown, Daniel Merrett, Aaron Cornelius, Rohan Bewick and Billy Longer all face financial punishment for their roles in a melee between the Kangaroos and Brisbane on Sunday afternoon at Docklands.

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First posted May 28, 2012 18:54:36

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Wins coming in second for Lions

Updated May 24, 2012 19:40:46

Brisbane coach Michael Voss has revealed victory has become a secondary focus for the battling Lions.

Heading into a litmus test against an under-pressure North Melbourne, Voss admits the Lions have concentrated on getting the basics right to fix their execution woes.

A 92-point win over Greater Western Sydney at the weekend has not changed the Lions' preparations for Sunday's match at Docklands, where they have not won for two seasons.

Voss says the last-start victory was borne out of better efforts on the training paddock to build the trust within his side following twin hidings at the hands of Essendon and Collingwood.

With the Kangaroos holding the same 3-5 record, the Lions are looking forward to testing themselves against a middle-of-the-road club following a flurry of matches against the top and bottom sides in the competition.

"We get a more important indicator about us, that's for sure," Voss said.

"We've certainly played some top six teams (and) some bottom-four teams so we have that opportunity in front of us and it's something we need to make the most of.

"For us, the win has become secondary over the last couple of weeks.

"We've just been making sure we get the training right, that we become predictable with one another and, if we can do those things, despite the pressure of the venue and what we get done, I know what the result will look like at the end.

"We got the win last week based out of the fact things like training have become important to us and being predictable with each other is important throughout the game.

"We need to bring that same predictability and intensity."

The Lions' 62-point loss to the Bombers in round seven was their fourth-straight defeat at Docklands and ninth in their past 11 matches at the venue, with an average losing margin of 45 points.

"It's an area we have to get right," Voss said.

"When you travel, it's something you have to get right and, in recent times, that's (the venue) where we seem to struggle the most."

But Voss says more pressure will be on the Kangaroos, coached by former team-mate Brad Scott, following their painful upset loss to Port Adelaide on the weekend.

AAP

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First posted May 24, 2012 17:03:37

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Lions hammer GWS at the Gabba

Updated May 20, 2012 16:51:53

Daniel Merrett has had his critics this season, but the defender-turned forward silenced the doubters on Sunday, kicking seven goals in Brisbane's 92-point thumping of Greater Western Sydney.

Merrett and Johnathan Brown had 12 goals between them as the Lions ran over the Giants, 19.18 (132) to 5.10 (40) - Brisbane's biggest win since round 17, 2007.

Kevin Sheedy rested five players from last week's win against Gold Coast, and it showed as GWS lacked the strength to go with Brisbane.

Merrett told Grandstand the players were happy and relieved to get the win.

"I think if we had lost today it would have been pretty disastrous," he said.

"It was a morale-boosting game to win, to sing the club song again and get the four points (was good) and head into North Melbourne next week with a bit of confidence."

The Giants could not deal with the height and physicality of Merrett and Brown up forward, and they were punished soundly for their failings.

The Lions had 65 entries inside 50 compared to 32 for GWS, and 140 more disposals than their opponents.

Early on, Brisbane's other forwards cleared out of the attacking zone to give Merrett a clear run, and he didn't disappoint.

For a while it looked like Fred Fanning's famous record haul of 18 goals in a match was in danger, as Merrett kicked five in the first quarter alone.

As the Gabba crowd roared him on, Merrett could have had an even bigger start, fumbling another chance and missing with a set shot after the first quarter siren.

"Brownie and Patrick Karnezis got up the field ... Brownie is back to full fitness, he was going to do a bit of work today, put me deeper and see how I went," Merrett said.

The Lions forward was keen to share the credit for the improved scoring performance.

"I think it was just great delivery of the ball, and we had a few more inside 50s this week, that always helps,'' he said.

The Giants held the line in the second quarter, losing the term three goals to two, but bringing some respectability to the score at half-time.

Brisbane wasted chances early in the second half, but as GWS tired in the final quarter, the Lions resumed their dominance, with Tom Rockliff kicking three goals in quick time, and Brown completing his five-goal haul.

Two players kicked their first goals in AFL - Andrew Phillips of GWS, and Dayne Zorko of the Lions.

Dom Tyson gave GWS a highlight at the end of the match, taking half a dozen bounces and kicking a goal on the run from 50 on the boundary.

Overall, however, it was a long day for the visitors.

While the Lions head to Melbourne to face the Kangaroos next week, GWS face a tough home game against the high-flying Bombers.

Lions: 19.18 (132) - Merrett 7, Brown 5, Rockliff 3, Karnezis 2, Zorko, Rich,

GWS: 5.10 (40) Wilson, Scully, Phillips, Giles, Tyson.

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First posted May 20, 2012 16:05:20

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Magpies pick apart Lions at Gabba

Updated May 12, 2012 22:52:38

Progress can't be measured in wins and losses, according to Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss.

And he will certainly be sticking to that theory after the Lions succumbed 17.14 (116) to 8.10 (58) to Collingwood on Saturday night, slumping to a 2-5 season record.

Voss swore the Lions were improving ahead of the Gabba clash, all but imploring fans not to look at the ladder when gauging Brisbane's improvement.

But statistics do not lie.

The gap between the Lions and the heavyweights only seems to be widening judging by the 58-point loss in front of 27,926 mostly cheering Pies fans.

Delve deeper and it makes even uglier reading for Voss.

Since opening the 2010 season with four straight wins after making the finals the previous season on coaching debut, Voss now boasts a horrid 9-38 tally.

To put his record in perspective, his rival coach Nathan Buckley has already surpassed Voss' 2011 win tally - just four - after seven rounds this year.

And that's after Buckley lost two of his first three games at the helm stepping into Mick Malthouse's big shoes.

Buckley can breathe easy for now after the Magpies racked up their fourth straight win, ensuring the days when critics were calling for his head must seem like a distant memory.

His only complaint would be the sight of Nathan Brown limping off with a suspected knee injury in the second term.

Brown threatens to add to a horror injury list that reads like a Collingwood 'who's who'.

While Dale Thomas and Darren Jolly are expected back next week, their long-term complaints include the likes of Luke Ball, Andrew Krakouer, Brent Macaffer and Ben Johnson.

Adding to Voss' worries, workaholic Pearce Hanley went down with what appeared to be a hamstring complaint in the second quarter.

For Collingwood, Steele Sidebottom starred with a game-high 35 touches and two goals while team-mate Dane Swan also grabbed a double along with 34 disposals.

Tyson Goldsack had three goals for the Magpies - from only four kicks for the match.

For the Lions, Jack Redden stood out with 28 touches while Jonathan Brown and Patrick Karnezis both kicked two majors.

Collingwood: 17.14 (116) - Goals: Goldsack 3, Cloke 2, Sidebottom 2, Sinclair 2, Swan 2, Wood 2, Didak, Keeffe, Shaw, Wellingham.

Brisbane Lions: 8.10 (58) - Goals: Brown 2, Karnezis 2, Merrett, Black, Polec, Rich.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, collingwood-3066

First posted May 12, 2012 22:21:28

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Cats slip and slide past Lions

Updated April 28, 2012 23:00:18

The elements and a classy Geelong side rained on Simon Black's parade as the Cats cruised to a comfortable 38-point win over the Lions at the slippery Gabba on Saturday night.

Brisbane was held goalless to half-time while the Geelong veterans had a field day in the abysmal conditions to run out 12.7 (79) to 4.17 (41) victors, with forward Tom Hawkins booting six goals straight.

The Lions managed to kick their first goal 20 minutes into the third term and another three in the final quarter to close the margin and also avoid a string of unwanted records.

The hosts were in line to register the lowest score at the Gabba as well as by a Brisbane side, but managed to finish strong and earn a bit of respect in Black's 300th game for the club.

Black is now the first player to have won an AFL premiership, both the Brownlow and Norm Smith Medals and broken the 300-game barrier.

Paul Chapman responded to recent criticism to return 29 touches and two goals in the wet, level with young gun Allen Christensen.

Tom Rockliff battled hard for 32 touches for Brisbane ahead of Black who rounded off his milestone with 22 disposals and a goal in the fourth quarter.

With the result sealed by half-time when Geelong led 7.5 (47) to 0.7 (7), most interest turned to Brisbane's goal drought.

The Lions at one stage looked likely to fall short of the lowest score by a Brisbane club - the Bears' 2.5 (17) effort against Hawthorn in round 12, 1988.

Then there was the merged club's worst total - 5.3 (33) also against Geelong, in round five 2009.

For good measure, the Lions' lowest score at the Gabba - 5.8 (38) against Carlton in round 11 in 1996 - also looked to be erased.

But much to Black's relief, the Lions finally managed to find the goal square in the last term.

Daniel Merrett and Jonathan Brown chaired Black off the field after the final siren and, in keeping with the Lions' butterfingered effort on Saturday night, almost dropped their champion along the way.

Lion Andrew Raines may find himself in trouble for a fourth-quarter clash in back play that left Geelong's Joel Selwood dazed.

Cats: 12.7 (79) - T Hawkins 6, P Chapman 2, J Corey, M Duncan, S Motlop, J Selwood.

Lions: 4.17 (41) - Black, Brown, McGrath, Rockcliff.

ABC/AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, brisbane-4000, australia, qld, geelong-3220, vic

First posted April 28, 2012 22:42:10

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Lions keen to make a statement

Updated April 04, 2012 19:23:07

Earning back respect might be Brisbane coach Michael Voss' priority ahead of Thursday night's clash with Carlton at the Gabba.

But the revitalised Lions appear to have already won over an unlikely new fan - Blues' mentor Brett Ratten.

Voss urged his once mighty side to make the most of the rare spotlight provided by the stand-alone game for the Lions and make a statement.

"We're a bit of an unknown. People don't know what we're about yet," Voss said on Wednesday.

"We've got to go about showing people what we do stand for and what type of footy we want to play.

"I keep using the word opportunity, but we're playing against a side that's been up and about for a couple of years now, particularly last season.

"And we're in front of a national audience, so I can think of no better stage to try to change people's views of us."

However, Ratten was more than aware of what the Lions were capable of after watching their 41-point first-round thrashing of Melbourne.

Ratten also did not have to be reminded that the Lions downed the Blues by 64 points in the preseason after keeping Carlton scoreless in the second half.

"We haven't undersold them one bit," Ratten said.

"We really respect what they are doing. Their younger players are really coming on and playing fantastic footy.

"(James) Polkinghorne and (Jack) Redden have taken another step in their football and we all knew what (Tom) Rockliff could do as a small forward in the TAC competition."

After enduring two lean years which garnered a total of just 11 wins, Voss finally has something to smile about.

Apart from their encouraging season start, captain Jonathan Brown was officially cleared to return next week from a broken cheekbone.

Josh Drummond (hip) is also expected back in the round three clash with Fremantle.

Voss made just one alteration to his 22 for the clash with an unchanged Blues, replacing Sam Sheldon with Jesse O'Brien.

He kept Daniel Merrett in the forward line after the regular full-back kicked two majors against the Demons in Brown's absence.

Ratten resisted the temptation to inject defenders Nick Duigan and Michael Jamison, who are coming back from injury.

"He (Brown) is in a good space," Voss said.

"Apart from those three or four days (after it happened) he couldn't do anything.

"He's been doing everything, so he's more of a caged lion at the moment."

Ratten said the Lions could expect a very different Carlton to the one they belted in the preseason.

"It was a good view at what they did but we were in a preparation phase to get ready for round one," he said.

"We did have a few hiccups with some individuals along the journey, but it was about getting our list right for round one."

Still buzzing from their first-round 44-point win over Richmond, Ratten said Carlton wanted to prove it was a top-four side this season.

"We finished fifth last year. It would be very complacent to say 'let's go and finish fifth again' - we want to lift the standard," he said.

"Top four is our aim but we know there is a lot of hard work to get there."

AAP

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First posted April 04, 2012 19:23:07

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Lions not taking Suns lightly

Updated April 16, 2012 19:04:16

Brisbane coach Michael Voss says his team has learned its lesson from being ambushed in the inaugural Queensland derby and will not under-estimate the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night.

Voss on Monday admitted last year's upset eight-point loss to the previously winless Gold Coast still stung as the Suns had grabbed a piece of history.

At a joint media conference with Suns coach Guy McKenna, Voss said there was no way the young Coast side, 0-3 this season, would be underestimated at the Gabba.

"We've learnt lessons from the first time we met last year," he said.

"We were a little bit ambushed last time.

"They had had some inconsistent performances leading up to that but were able to deliver on that particular day.

"It probably just shows what things like Q-Clash means. It doesn't matter where you're sitting or what your win-loss ledger is because it's more about the game itself and the occasion.

"It's up to us to make sure that doesn't happen again."

The Lions balanced the ledger in round 21 when they won by 62 points at the Gabba.

Meanwhile the Lions' injury pain continued with influential ruckman Matthew Leuenberger ruled out for at least six weeks with an Achilles tear.

A week after regaining captain Jonathan Brown, but losing Simon Black, the Lions must cope without their next best player following scan results on Monday.

Brisbane will be forced to rely on both age and youth with odd couple Ben Hudson and Billy Longer to lead its ruck division in the derby clash.

Former Western Bulldogs veteran Hudson and first-round draft pick Longer are set to join forces for the first time on Saturday night.

"It's obviously very disappointing for Matthew to be on the sidelines for this length of time," Lions football manager Dean Warren said.

"We believe that he is developing into one of the best ruckmen in the competition so he will be a loss for us.

"However, over the off-season we made it a priority to add depth in this area and we have every confidence that Ben Hudson and Billy Longer will do an outstanding job holding up our ruck stocks."

Voss was highly impressed with how Longer stood up in a baptism of fire in his debut against Fremantle big man Adam Sandilands.

"It was great exposure for him and the fact he could play against that player and get one game under his belt as a wonderful learning experience," Voss said.

AAP

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First posted April 16, 2012 16:30:21

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Lions aim to step up

Updated January 31, 2012 17:56:49

Brisbane is confident it will be a more potent AFL force this season and plans to showcase its determination in next month's preseason competition.

The Lions were decimated in the opening round of the pre-season competition last year and a miserable home-and-away season followed.

They went down in the opening round-robin clash badly, losing to Essendon by 52 points and then to St Kilda by 29 points in the abbreviated match format.

But 2011 acting captain Jed Adcock said he expected a new-look team this season.

"We played a very young side last year and we got blown out of the water in the first round," he said.

"I think it will be a lot different this year, we'll put in a much more experienced team.

"We seem to have a lot more players ready to play now than last year so hopefully we can just put in a better performance."

While admitting the pre-season competition was hardly a stage for eye-catching football, he said there were some lessons which could be taken into the season proper.

"You can learn some things about your structures and your game plan and your style and the way you want to play," Adcock said.

"But every club is in the same boat and they're very scrappy games, the first four games.

"It's more getting some miles into the players' legs, a bit of match fitness, that kind of thing.

"You've still got to work out what structures work and what don't and you sort of fiddle with it coming into round one."

He said the club would also be interested to look at how their expectations for the younger players materialised.

"I think you look at the emerging group, the 20-25 group who would have probably taken another step again.

"But training's training and games are games so until we actually hit NAB Cup we're not going to know what's happening really."

With captain Jonathan Brown out injured for most of last year, Adcock bore much of the responsibility as acting captain and said he felt the disappointment of a failed campaign more acutely than most.

"I found it really good but it was frustrating because you feel like you're pushing towards something and you just couldn't get over the line," he said.

"From my point of view, leading the team in that way, it was probably a little more frustrating than for the others.

"It was tough but in saying that hopefully we've moved on and we're better off for it."

AAP

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First posted January 31, 2012 17:56:49

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Merrett's return boosts Lions' hopes

Updated January 16, 2012 18:45:52

It is not just Lion king Jonathan Brown who Brisbane believes will lift it out of the AFL cellar in 2012.

Brown's vice-captain Daniel Merrett is also ready to provide a significant boost from the other end of the ground this season after a full recovery from a serious back problem.

Full-back Merrett was in wonderful form over the first 10 rounds of 2011 before a stress fracture ended his season as the Lions, sorely missing their influential bookends, slumped to 15th.

But, like Brown who is now well over his horrific facial fractures, the 27-year-old is champing at the bit following a lengthy preseason which has him in the best shape of his career.

Despite few changes to Michael Voss's young list, Merrett stressed confidence of a jump back up the ladder was high at the club.

"To have your skipper out there is always pretty handy," the defender said.

"When he is missing most of the year, especially the influence that Browny has, it's pretty tough.

"The group definitely walks taller whan he's out there."

While there is little change to personnel, Merrett stressed it would be a stronger young list.

"Our young boys are another year older as well and they're stepping up," he said.

"Even (2011 club champion) Tommy Rockliff, the amount of influence he has on the group now and he's only 22, he has another year under his belt and he will take a lot of confidence out of last year.

"Across the board, you're just going to get that improvement from everyone and more blokes chipping in."

One new face is Hawthorn recruit Jordan Lisle, 21, who has impressed in training to be a prime candidate to partner Brown up front.

AAP

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First posted January 16, 2012 18:44:50

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Rich ready to fire for Lions

Updated December 19, 2011 20:24:56

A step backwards may yet help gun Brisbane Lions midfielder Daniel Rich take his game forward in 2012.

Rich, 21, claimed he not only had second year but also third year syndrome after bursting onto the AFL scene two years ago, claiming the Rising Star award.

The low point came when his run of 59 consecutive games since his 2009 AFL debut was snapped by a foot injury last season, sidelining him for six weeks.

But Rich saw a silver lining in the injury cloud.

"You want to contribute as much as you can to the team ... but it was good in a way to take a backward step, watch a bit of footy and come back fresh going into a new season," he said.

"The second and third year personally weren't up to where I needed to be.

"There were a few bits and pieces I needed to improve on, little things ... like endurance and strength.

"So it's been a big focus this preseason to get fitter and stronger and have a good year.

"It's only Christmas time and I've made inroads ... (and there's still) a couple of months to go before the season starts."

It must be music to the ears of coach Michael Voss, who sees Rich as a key plank to rebuilding the Lions.

After they finished third-last with just four wins, it could be argued the only way is up for the Lions.

But Rich believed there were already encouraging signs.

"There's a lot more guys training than at this time last year and the percentage of our training is up by about 20 per cent, so it can only be a good sign," said Rich at the Lions' final pre-Christmas training session.

"I don't know about the doldrums but we are a young side and the club is on the way up - we believe there are exciting times ahead."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted December 19, 2011 20:24:56

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Lions pick up discarded Harvey

Updated November 03, 2011 19:06:16

Brisbane coach Michael Voss says his newly-appointed assistant coach Mark Harvey still has the fire in his eyes despite being dumped by Fremantle for St Kilda's Ross Lyon.

After missing out on securing Rodney Eade and Peter Sumich for the job, the Lions revealed 46-year-old Harvey would join Adrian Fletcher and Gary O'Donnell as Voss's assistants, as the club looks to lift itself back into the finals in 2012.

"I'm rapt to be involved with the Lions and I'm looking forward to working closely with Michael Voss and the playing group to ensure the team and the club continues to move in the right direction," said Harvey, who won three premierships as a player with Essendon.

Voss says the Lions had been searching "far and wide for the right man" and had to go as far as Perth to find him.

He says both he and key forward Johnathan Brown will benefit from Harvey's vast experience and knowledge.

There were some concerns Harvey, the fourth head coach sacked to bob up in an assistant's role, might have lost some of the drive and desire after Fremantle ruthlessly cut him loose with a year left on his contract.

"Mark had to work out where he was at after what happened to him (at Fremantle) and if the passion and drive were still there for him," Voss said.

"But when we met, he hardly stopped talking about football - from our list to who and what we need and what we should be focusing on.

"He'd clearly done his homework and also had that fire in his eyes to keep going."

Apart from being a good sounding board and a bonus in the coach's box, Voss says Harvey will also help Brown become a better player.

"For a guy like Brownie to be able to bounce off someone of Harvey's experience, who was able to play a key position and for some of our younger brigade, it's going to be very worthwhile for them," Voss said.

"He can be a set of eyes who can look at things and offer a different angle. That's going to be very important."

Harvey will link with the Lions for their preseason camp at Noosa Heads next week.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia, fremantle-6160, wa

First posted November 03, 2011 14:26:39

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Ottens to miss Lions clash

Posted July 12, 2011 12:20:00

Geelong ruckman Brad Ottens has accepted a one-match ban for striking West Coast's Mark Nicoski in last weekend's round of matches.

Ottens pleaded guilty to the level-four striking offence but due to the two-time premiership player's clean record he will only miss this weekend's trip to the Gabba to play the Lions.

Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui accepted a reprimand and points towards future charges following his level-one charge of making forceful contact from front-on against Geelong's Taylor Hunt and is free to play.

The 20 players charged for their involvement in melees from the Essendon-Richmond and St Kilda-Port Adelaide clashes have all accepted their sanctions.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, geelong-3220

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Hawks prepare to face Lions

Published:Friday, July 8, 2011 7:23 AESTExpires:Thursday, October 6, 2011 7:23 AEST

Hawthorn is confident star player Lance Franklin will be fit for an AFL match against Brisbane at Launceston in Tasmania's north.

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Tags: australian-football-league, launceston-7250

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Lions stung for cap breach

Posted July 1, 2011 18:56:00

Brisbane has been fined more than $21,000 for breaching the AFL Player Rules this season.

The AFL found the Lions had breached the Total Player Payment rules through an administrative error.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson says the club had voluntarily disclosed the breach as soon as it was discovered.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

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Tigers finish fast to claw Lions

Updated June 18, 2011 22:57:00

Richmond responded to a pair of disappointing defeats with a 31-point triumph over the struggling Lions at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday night.

The Lions led by 23 points after an explosive start before the Tigers awoke form their slumber, arresting some poor goal kicking to post a much-needed 18.17 (125) to 14.10 (94) victory.

Young midfielder Dustin Martin booted five goals and had 22 disposals in another brilliant performance with Tyrone Vickery chipping in with four goals of his own.

Trent Cotchin was equally influential with his 30 possessions as Richmond was able to keep Lions skipper Jonathan Brown to just four scoring shots and only two goals.

Brown's second major put Brisbane within four points halfway through the final term but the Tigers responded emphatically with the next five majors to ice the contest.

Lively Tigers forward Jack Riewoldt was kept to two majors by Matt Maguire.

Brisbane kicked the first four goals of the game and, while the Tigers rallied to lead at half-time, they could not shrug off the Lions until deep into the last term.

Twice Richmond was on the verge of amassing a match-winning lead only to see the Lions fight back and threaten to steal the game.

Determined Brisbane midfielders Jack Redden, Simon Black and Tom Rockliff kept their side within striking distance, although Richmond's forwards were not helping their own cause.

By three-quarter time, 10 of Richmond's 13 behinds had been scored from set shots, most of them very gettable, well inside 50m.

Redden was also enforcer, applying some big hits while also getting physical with with several Tigers including Daniel Jackson and Shane Edwards.

The aggressive tone was set before the opening bounce, when both midfield brigades started wrestling in an entertaining sideshow to the main act.

The turning point in the last quarter occurred when Chris Newman brought Lions skipper Brown to his knees with a heavy tackle inside 50m and then, moments later, when Black was streaming through the middle, Robert Nahas stopped him in his tracks.

From that point onwards, the Tigers rattled off five of the last seven majors to seal the match.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick praised Martin for his five-goal return and the game-turning tackles of Nahas and Newman.

"It's amazing when the simple things are done well, you get the result you want," he said.

"It puts us back in the hunt (for the top eight).

"He (Martin) uses the ball well and I couldn't believe it when I saw he kicked five goals."

Lions coach Michael Voss said they had their chances to win and, in the end, could not counter-attack when it mattered most, like they had done on two previous occasions during the game.

"We certainly had our ascendancy in different parts of the game," he said.

"You have to make the most of them because you do have momentum in games.

"What we weren't able to do, we couldn't hold that wall and counter attack likewise."

He said key forward Mitchell Clark would miss at least one match after spraining an ankle, while nimble forward Todd Banfield suffered a hamstring injury.

"It's not a break, but it will certainly keep him (Clark) out for next week," he said.

The match was also a stop-start affair with 54 free kicks being awarded, 32 by half-time, which would normally be around the end-of-game statistic.

-ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, qld, brisbane-4000, vic, richmond-3121

First posted June 18, 2011 22:09:00

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Lions already looking to 2012

Posted June 15, 2011 12:00:00

Brisbane captain Jonathan Brown says the Lions need to finish a bleak season well to give them a springboard into an improved 2012.

One obvious target is avoiding the wooden spoon, while another is to grasp something tangible in the second half of the year, starting against Richmond at the Gabba on Saturday.

Brown, who only returned from a serious facial injury a month ago, says he has been as frustrated on the field as he was sitting on the sideline for two months.

"It's been nothing special (my form), but it's been solid enough without setting the world on fire, that's for sure," Brown said.

"I wouldn't mind a few more opportunities but we will work on that."

After 11 matches, the Lions are sitting 15th by virtue of a superior percentage over Port Adelaide and Gold Coast, who have all won two matches.

With September action ruled out and only pride to play for, Brown has cast his gaze ahead towards next year.

"Clearly we are not going to play finals so we are not working on that," Brown said.

"We have to have the big picture in mind having a good season next year.

"We have to finish with wins and playing a more complete brand of footy.

"I'm not sure it's a goal (avoiding the wooden spoon), it probably goes without saying."

The Lions' fight for respect and their coach Michael Voss' fight for survival will be tested against the Tigers at the Gabba on Saturday night.

At their best, both sides are of similar ability, but the Tigers have a seemingly brighter future.

They are 11th with four wins and a draw and will start favourites against the Lions although they have had an unusual preparation.

The Tigers were forced to hire a coach to get home from Sydney last weekend after their return flight was cancelled because of the volcanic ash drama.

"Our week has been disrupted as well," said Brown after the Lions' flight home from Melbourne last weekend was delayed by a day.

"We're playing on our home deck and we have to make that our home advantage.

"They've had two travels in a row, which is always difficult.

"They're similar to us, they're an up and coming side and they are going to be hungry."

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, brisbane-4000

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