AFL pre-season trial games: Joe Daniher kicks four goals in Brisbane Lions debut
Look away now Essendon fans — Joe Daniher has dominated his first game as a Brisbane Lion, sending an ominous warning to the club’s premiership rivals.
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Boom Lions recruit Joe Daniher has led Brisbane to a 47-point win over Gold Coast in a scratch match at Metricon Stadium.
Daniher took advantage of a Suns team without key defenders Sam Collins and Rory Thompson, slotting four goals, including two in the first term, in his first competitive game since making the move from Essendon as Brisbane ran out 15.12 (102) to 8.7 (55) winners.
The absence of Gold Coast’s keys left young defender Caleb Graham to do the job, along with Charlie Ballard and Jack Bowes who battled undersized against the 201cm giant.
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Collins is expected to be back to full fitness next week after battling a foot complaint while Thompson remains on the long term injury list.
Brisbane torched a lacklustre Suns in the first term, kicking seven goals to one to take a 35-point lead into the second.
Gold Coast were being punished for kicking short too often early, putting themselves under pressure and turning the ball over while Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale pushed forward dangerously from stoppages.
The Suns steadied in the remaining three quarters, equalling Brisbane’s efforts in the contest as the margin barely moved.
Wil Powell, Alex Sexton and Chris Burgess were left out of Gold Coast’s rotations in the first term while Matt Rowell and David Swallow were rested after halftime.
Ben King came off with a lower leg complaint at the end of the first quarter but was moving freely and played on while Jarrod Witts returned from a split eye in the second term.
Suns recruit Oleg Markov was impressive in the backline, showing pace while rebounding and using the ball well going forward.
Swallow, Witts, Jarrod Harbrow, Touk Mille, Ben Ainsworth and Sean Lemmens were among Gold Coast’s best while Will Brodie put in a good audition for a spot in the best 22, months after asking for a trade.
Daniher was among Brisbane’s best, along with Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Callum Ah Chee, Harris Andrews and Hugh McCluggage.
GIANTS BEAST GREEN ABOUT TO GO TO NEXT LEVEL
Chris Cavanagh
Sydney and Greater Western Sydney fought out a draw in wet conditions at GIANTS Stadium in their first practice match.
The final score finished GWS 8.6 (54) to Sydney 7.12 (54).
Here are the key takeaways from the match.
IN A NUTSHELL
GWS
Not an overly inspiring performance from either team, with the Giants largely just going through the paces in their first hitout. Without Jeremy Cameron spearheading the forward line, goals appeared a little harder to come by. GWS had eight individual goalkickers.
SYDNEY
Still no Lance Franklin up forward and there were some chances missed in attack. However, the kids got a good chance to show their wares across the ground and many delivered. There was an intent to move the ball with speed, but scoring is still a struggle as it was last year.
SELECTION PUZZLES
GWS
How do you make up for the loss of Cameron, who had kicked 100 goals across the past two years? Jake Riccardi was given another opportunity up forward and had some nice moments, including a first-quarter goal. Harry Himmelberg kicked one goal, but Jeremy Finlayson was quiet. One of the key targets will need to step up.
SYDNEY
Similar problem to last year, with a lack of targets and scoring options forward without Franklin on the park. First-year draftee Logan McDonald was tried in attack but the No. 4 draft pick last year did not have much opportunity. Sam Reid played but struggled.
ONES TO WATCH
ERROL GULDEN
The Sydney Swans Academy graduate well and truly put his hand up for a Round 1 debut after a classy performance in the wet. Hard at it and clean by foot, Gulden was one of the standouts for the Swans and was in the thick of it in the midfield for much of the match.
TOM GREEN
Looks set to make one of the Giants’ starting midfield spots his own this year after another stunning performance. Was in and out of the side last season and played only six games on debut, but the 20-year-old tough-nut will be hard to overlook this season.
MATT FLYNN
Unsighted at AFL level until now, but the 23-year-old made a solid fist of his ruck duel against experienced Swans pair Tom Hickey and Callum Sinclair. Still fairly raw, but looks capable of stepping up in the absence of Braydon Preuss for the first half of the season.
Score update! The match actually finished 54-all. https://t.co/CBXp80lczz
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) February 27, 2021
SIDELINED
GWS
Lachie Whitfield (bruised liver) is in a race against time to be ready for Round 1. Phil Davis (knee) sat out the match but is expected to be fit to tackle Sydney next Sunday in the AAMI Community Series. Adam Kennedy (shoulder) and Braydon Preuss (shoulder) will be sidelined for a significant period at the start of the season, while Brent Daniels (hamstring) is almost certain to miss Round 1.
SYDNEY
Star forward Lance Franklin (calf) is still an uncertain Round 1 prospect as his injury issues continue after missing the entire 2020 season. Ruckman Sam Naismith (knee) is expected to miss most of the year. Co-Captain Dane Rampe missed the scratch match but plans to return for Sydney’s pre-season match against GWS next Sunday.
RICCARDI IN FRAME TO FILL CAMERON ROLE
Second-year forward Jake Riccardi looks set to be given first crack at filling the gaping hole left by Jeremy Cameron at Greater Western Sydney this season.
After impressing in five matches on debut last year and earning a Rising Star nomination, greater opportunity beckons for Riccardi after Cameron’s deflection to Geelong.
The 21-year-old had some nice moments and kicked a first-quarter goal in a scratch match against Sydney at GIANTS Stadium on Saturday, forming part of a three-tall attack alongside Harry Himmelberg and Jeremy Finlayson.
GWS midfielder Josh Kelly said while it was different not having Cameron to kick to up forward, the Giants would have to quickly adapt.
“We’re excited about what Riccardi, Jez Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg can do to really show their presence down there,” Kelly told the Herald Sun.
“Playing with Jezza (Cameron) for so long, it’s going to be different.
“But Jake came in and showed what he was capable of last year in his first few games. I remember his first game he was popping up everywhere. He’s got a huge workrate, he flies at the footy and can be a real presence for us.
“So it will be interesting to see how he goes down there and how he can support Harry and Jez in the forward line.”
There is also a spot for the taking in Giants’ ruck division, with Matt Flynn given an opportunity against experienced Swans duo Tom Hickey and Callum Sinclair.
Braydon Preuss is set to miss the first half of the season after having shoulder surgery, while beaten-up back-up ruckman Shane Mumford turns 35 in July.
“Flynny’s pre-season has been great and over the last few years he’s consistently been really close to a game,” Kelly said.
“He’s competitive, he’s physical and he gets his hand to the ball in the ruck. The boys are excited to play with him and if he is able to put his best foot forward and take that ruck spot, I think he’s more than capable to lead the midfield group.”
The Giants and Swans fought out a draw in wet and humid conditions as preparations ramp up for Round 1.
Kelly said the GWS playing group was determined to return to finals this year after a 2020 season that fell flat of expectations.
“We didn’t perform the way we wanted to last year so there’s no doubt the group’s hungry and excited about the year ahead,” Kelly said.
“Last year we were able to point out those areas that weren’t good enough and weren’t up to the standard and those things get really found out in the AFL these days.
“It’s been good to go away, work on some things over the pre-season and now try and implement them.”
FYFE DOMINATES IN DOCKERS’ DERBY WIN
Mark Duffield
Fremantle had good reason to be pleased with both the old and the new of their team after they tuned up for next Sunday’s derby at Optus Stadium with a 46-point demolition of West Coast.
While skipper Nat Fyfe produced a dominant first half before subbing out to do a running session and Michael Walters bobbed up in attack to kick four goals, it was the younger brigade Fremantle will be most pleased about.
Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and ruckman Lloyd Meek were significant parts of a winning midfield.
Young forward Josh Treacy presented strongly and took a great contested mark on his way to two goals.
Hayden Young gave them poise and direction off half back and Heath Chapman did not look out of place in the second half.
The Eagles tried Liam Duggan in midfield and he worked hard.
Xavier O’Neill got game time after halftime but their engine room lacked sting and it was the older brigade who kept them in touch before halftime, with Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass intercepting and Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff giving drive from the middle.
Duggan battled hard in a losing midfield while Liam Ryan, like Jack Darling, looked dangerous but was getting precious little opportunity.
Forwards Jamie Cripps (three second-half goals) finished the game strongly.
The major Fremantle concerns from the 16.6 (106) to 9.6 (60) win will be on the injury front with Adam Cerra (ankle) not appearing after half time and defender Luke Ryan appearing in severe pain after Jarrod Brander tumbled into his back as the pair pursued a ground ball in the first quarter.
The Dockers had held an edge in the first quarter thanks to a winning midfield where Blake Acres had a poultice of possession off a wing, Fyfe was dominant around stoppage and Brayshaw gave them a hard running presence around the ground.
The Eagles defence had held up reasonably well with McGovern and Barrass intercepting a number of attacks but the Dockers had still taken an 11 point lead to quarter time after goals to Walters, Brayshaw and Rory Lobb – who was showing off a new set shot routine minus the sewing machine run up.
Darling had looked dangerous off few opportunities and Dom Sheed had kicked West Coast’s solitary goal for the term.
Nathan Vardy, shaded by Meek in the ruck, kicked the first goal of the second term to narrow the margin but the Dockers produced a strong mid-quarter surge that produced three goals and a gap on the scoreboard.
Fyfe had spent most of the match in midfield and his goal came after a strong surge out of the midfield.
Liam Henry and Michael Frederick also scored for a four-goal halftime margin.
The Eagles had been able to produce some smooth passages of play — particularly when Shuey and Gaff were involved, but the weight of the play was heading Fremantle’s way.
Meanwhile Cerra, who was seen testing an ankle just on halftime, did not reappear after the main break and did not join Fyfe for a running session on Mineral Resources Park’s second oval.
Alex Pearce played two and a half quarters but was then taken off and had his left lower leg iced.
The Dockers split the game wide open in the third term with six goals to one to take a 50-point lead into the last break.
Brayshaw continued to wield a big influence in the midfield, receiving good support from Serong and David Mundy and Young came into the game strongly off halfback, sending the ball inside attacking fifty a number of times.
With plenty of opportunities, Walters became the game’s dominant forward and kicked two goals for the quarter while Lobb, Serong, Bailey Banfield and Lachie Schultz added goals of their own.
Darling and Liam Ryan had looked the most dangerous Eagles forwards and Darling managed a third quarter goal while experienced forward Jamie Cripps also started to come into the game.
The highlight of the final term for Fremantle was a glimpse into the future as Treacy bobbed up to kick two goals.
The first came after a big contested mark 40 metres out, the second after an arrow of a pass from veteran David Mundy spotted him on the lead.
Cripps kicked two last quarter goals to finish with three while Jarrod Brander also bobbed up in attack to kick two goals for the term.
DOCKERS CONFIDENT ON RYAN’S INJURY
Mark Duffield
A relieved Fremantle believe that defender Luke Ryan has escaped serious injury after scans cleared him of bone damage in his back from Fremantle’s 47-point win against West Coast at Mineral Resources Park.
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir was hopeful that Ryan, Adam Cerra (tight calf) and Matt Taberner will all be available for next Sunday’s clash with the Eagles at Optus Stadium.
Ryan was left writhing in pain in the second quarter after Jarrod Brander collected him with a knee to the back as the pair scrambled after a ground ball.
“We were a little bit worried about a broken bone,” Longmuir said. “We just had him scanned and he is all-clear. He will be a bit sore and sorry for a few days but it’s a good sign that he hasn’t broken anything.”
Cerra meanwhile did not play after half time after reporting tightness in his calf.
“It has probably been hanging around for a little bit and we decided not to risk it. We have still got a couple of weeks until round one so it was precautionary,” Longmuir said.
James Aish was also taken from the field after muscle tightness while defender Alex Pearce, in his first game back from his third leg fracture, got through the game unscathed after managed minutes. Joel Hamling played most of the game and performed strongly in defence.
“Pearce hit his minutes,” Longmuir said. “I have been saying all along with Pearce and Hamling it is a bit more of a slower build. He hit his minutes, came off and it was just precautionary.”
“It was good to have some more experienced backs out there. They got through which is always good.”
Longmuir said the Dockers would pick a more “in-season squad” for next week’s game. Taberner, who missed this game after a summer quad strain, is expected to play and Longmuir was hopeful that Cerra and Ryan would both get up for the game too.
Nat Fyfe, who was rested after a dominant first half, will “step up his minutes”.
“We won’t be resting anyone next week,” he said.
But he will have to leave some in form players out. Hayden Young was one of the most impressive players on the field coming off half back and “took a step forward” Longmuir said.
“I thought Brennan Cox was really good and looked like he had improve don last year. We have got some good discussions coming up as a coaching group. At the other end of the ground we had some guys put their hand up as well. We are starting to build some depth through our forward line.”
He described the effort of ruckman Lloyd Meek as “really solid” and expects him to get another chance to press his Round 1 case against West Coast’s All-Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui next week.
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