Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Jack Ginnivan took a hard collision in the opening moments and has played on despite while Lions forward Logan Morris took a blow to the mouth that saw him leave the ground under the blood rule.
A Lions behind is the only score so far. It has been a high-pressure, high-error start.
Lions 1, Hawks 0 with 15 mins to go in Q1.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell could send forward Mabior Chol to negate Lions superstar defender Harris Andrews tonight.
“Yeah, we’ll have a bit of an eye on Harris Andrews, of course,” Mitchell said on Kayo Sports.
“But Mabior doesn’t generally ruck around the ground too much.
“We just like him to do center bounces because it gets him into the game, and he’s obviously got that huge leap, and is a bit of a different challenge for opposition ruckmen”
“So, wouldn’t be surprised if he still hits some centre bounces tonight, but the way our forward structure will work is pretty consistent across most of the year.
“So obviously, we had young Aidan Schubert come in last week for Mitch Lewis’s concussion, but now that we get these boys back, they’ve worked together a lot across the year, so hopefully their synergy can take Harris Andrews out of the game.”
Brisbane great Jonathan Brown has spoken strongly about the ongoing Geelong concussion deal matter, stating that players should not be put in position where they fear their job is on the line.
“Well, the problem is you’re in a vulnerable position because you’re living out your dream, and you want to continue on your dream,” Brown said on Kayo Sports.
“So, quite easily a player could be not tripped into it, but feel like that’s the only option to continue living out their dream.
“So, that’s why I was shocked.
Essendon great James Hird and former teammate Mark McVeigh have made their formal presentations to win the vacant Bombers’ coaching position.
McVeigh, an assistant at Sydney, presented to the five-person panel on Friday, while Hird was mid-week.
The formal interviews lasted for two-and-a-half hours and were conducted by Bombers president Andrew Welsh, chief executive Tim Roberts, football director Ted Richards, vice president and former Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro and Essendon’s general manager of people and culture, Caroline Monzon.
An industry source with knowledge of the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the Bombers were also finalising interviews with fellow contenders Jaymie Graham, the Fremantle forwards coach in Melbourne for the Dockers’ clash with the Demons on Saturday, and Murray Davis, Adelaide’s director of coaching. The experienced Graham is also in the hunt for the vacant Carlton role.
A Bombers spokesman did not wish to comment when contacted on Friday.
Lions stalwart Jarrod Berry is playing through the bittersweet emotions of losing his grandmother Wendy Berry earlier this week and playing in his 200th AFL game.
“It’s been a pretty big week,” Jarrod Berry told Kayo Sport pregame.
“I will be playing for her tonight. She’s one of those big characters in my life who stepped up when my mum passed away.
“It hurt the family a lot, but it is nice to see all the family get together tonight, celebrating her life and enjoying some footy as well.”
Geelong great Tom Hawkins has called out the Cats hierarchy for not speaking to the public on Thursday and explaining their actions regarding the secret concussion deal with premiership defender Jake Kolodjashnij.
“It’s hard to formulate an opinion when there has been so little information given,” Hawkins said on Kayo Sport on Friday night.
“As a football spectator now, I was frustrated with the process, that it has taken so long to hear from the Geelong Football Club. We heard from Steve Hocking. It was a misstep.
“I don’t know. I think there is still more to be played out. I just find it staggering that yesterday [Thursday], they [Geelong] didn’t front the media and talk us through the process of what has actually happened.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan knows exactly what to expect from Hawthorn in Friday night’s finals-shaping blockbuster.
But Fagan says that won’t make things easier for his Lions in the Gabba fixture.
“It’s clear what they do. But not as easy to stop it, though,” Fagan said of the Hawks.
The Lions, after copping a shock 76-point hammering from Carlton last weekend, hold fifth spot ahead of hosting the third-placed Hawthorn.
G’day everyone. I’m Roy Ward, and I’ll be tapping the keys tonight as we follow the bumper clash between the Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn at the Gabba.
First bounce is set for 7.40pm (AEST).
Enjoy the hours to come.
