‘Deflated’ Brisbane Lions intent on bouncing back against Essendon

Successive losses are likely to mean the Brisbane Lions are going to have to do it the hard way if they are to win the AFL premiership.

Lions veteran Dayne Zorko admits it will be “difficult” for Brisbane to win the AFL premiership from outside the top four but is confident the feat can be achieved in a “strange” season.

Back-to-back losses have left the Lions facing the likelihood of finishing in the bottom half of the top eight and needing four successive wins in the finals series to secure the club’s first flag since 2003.

A fourth-placed finish remains a possibility; however, the Lions would need to not only beat Essendon on Saturday night at the Gabba but also rely on the battling West Coast upsetting Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

Even if Brisbane lost to Essendon, the Lions’ healthy percentage should ensure that they wouldn’t fall out of the top eight.

However, not since 2016, when the Western Bulldogs won the premiership after finishing the regular season in seventh place, has a non top-four team clinched the flag.

“It’s going to be difficult but we saw last year, Carlton and GWS, they got to preliminary finals (after finishing outside the top four), and (the Giants) took it right up to Collingwood, and Carlton took it right up to us in the preliminary final, so it can be done,” Zorko told SENQ’s Pat and Heals Breakfast show.

“Finals is a different ball game once again. It’s a strange year. I think history’s going to be defied this year, and hopefully it’s us that can do it.”

Lions veteran Dayne Zorko takes a mark in front of Collingwood’s Mason Cox in Brisbane’s one-point weekend loss. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Lions blew the chance to jump back into the top four on the weekend when they gave up a 17-point lead late in the final quarter against Collingwood to lose by one point at the MCG.

Had they held on, they would have finished the round in fourth spot after Geelong suffered a surprise loss to St. Kilda.

“To let it slip like that is extremely disappointing given we did get a few results go our way over the weekend, but that’s the season it is,” Zorko said.

“Our season’s still alive. We get another opportunity this weekend to continue to move up the ladder as high as we possibly can, and we’ll be looking to do that and bounce back.”

The Lions again paid a price for some inaccurate goalkicking in their narrow loss on Saturday.

“The boys don’t miss on purpose,” Zorko said.

“Everyone makes mistakes throughout the game – it’s how quickly you can move on and not let it deflate you.

“We probably got a little bit deflated on the weekend unfortunately and allowed Collingwood to get back into the game.

“We’re getting the job done in bits and pieces throughout the game but we need to lock it in for four quarters.”

Zorko said there were no concerns with a slight ankle injury he suffered against the Magpies.

However, the Lions will be sweating on the fitness of midfielder Jarrod Berry, who failed to finish the match after suffering a hamstring injury.

Forward Lincoln McCarthy, who is on Brisbane’s long-term injury list after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in May, has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him with Brisbane until at least the end of next season.

“The body was feeling really good before my knee injury and I’m confident I can come back better with this amazing club and group of people who have given me so much.” the 30-year-old South Australian said.

Originally published as ‘Deflated’ Brisbane Lions intent on bouncing back against Essendon