In a hard-fought and at times fiery encounter, Brisbane has secured their first win of the season, overcoming St Kilda by 33 points at Marvel Stadium. However, the victory was marred by a growing injury list, with key defender Darcy Gardiner and Noah Answerth both leaving the field with significant concerns.
A Tough Night for the Lions’ Defence
The match took a concerning turn in the final term when Darcy Gardiner was forced from the field after a brutal hip and shoulder contest with St Kilda’s Liam Ryan. The Lions’ key defender was seen clutching his right arm and shoulder, sparking immediate fears of a serious injury.
Adding to Brisbane’s woes, defender Noah Answerth was also sidelined after a spectacular pack mark by St Kilda’s Alix Tauru. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan acknowledged the inherent risks associated with such aerial contests.
“Noah was a concussion, that was a nasty one,” Fagan commented after the game. “We love the specky marks, and it was a great mark, and he obviously never meant to knee Noah in the head, but that’s the problem with the specky, isn’t it? There is always that danger.”
Fagan expressed particular concern for Gardiner’s injury, stating, “I think Darcy’s shoulder injury is quite significant. I don’t expect to have him on Thursday. He might be out for a fair while.” These fresh injuries cast a shadow over the Lions’ much-needed win, highlighting the physical toll the game continues to take on players.
Young Guns Shine Through Adversity
Despite the setbacks, Brisbane managed to maintain their composure and fight their way to victory. With the scores tight heading into the final quarter, coach Chris Fagan turned to his emerging talent to make a difference.
“I thought Will Ashcroft was particularly damaging in that last quarter,” Fagan revealed. “He probably had a bit of a quiet game up until that point in time, even his first couple of weeks have been quiet by Will’s standards. I gave him a little bit of a poke at three-quarter time and said, ‘Mate, it’s about time you got going,’ and he said to me after the game, ‘Did I get going?’ And I said, ‘You did mate, thanks for that. He was terrific.'” Ashcroft’s late surge proved instrumental in breaking the deadlock and securing the win for the Lions.
Tactical Play and Defensive Pressure
The match also saw a strategic battle unfold in the midfield, particularly concerning St Kilda’s influential player, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. Amidst discussions about his significant price tag, Fagan deployed midfielder Jarrod Berry to tag Wanganeen-Milera in the first half.
While Wanganeen-Milera still managed to accumulate 17 touches in the opening two quarters, Fagan believed Berry’s presence limited his effectiveness. “I thought Nasiah had a fair bit of ball in the first half, but it wasn’t overly affective,” he noted.
The Lions then adjusted their strategy at halftime, opting to free up their midfielders. Josh Dunkley was tasked with shadowing Wanganeen-Milera at stoppages, but outside of these instances, Brisbane focused on their own game. “I think we played better as a result of that to some degree,” Fagan suggested. “You’ve got to give tagging him fair consideration because he is a damaging and fantastic player.” This tactical flexibility, combined with a strong defensive effort, ultimately proved crucial in overcoming St Kilda.
The victory, though hard-earned, serves as a vital confidence booster for Brisbane as they navigate a challenging early season schedule, albeit one now complicated by further injury concerns.
