Brisbane Lions legend Simon Black backs Chris Fagan’s side to rescue 2024 AFL season

As Brisbane Lions battle to rescue their 2024 campaign, one of the club’s all-time greats says he’s “confident” Chris Fagan’s side will feature in finals this year.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 07: Eric Hipwood of the Lions is congratulated by teammates after kicking a goal during the round 13 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium, on June 07, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The Brisbane Lions have dragged themselves out of the scoring rut that plagued the start of their season but the biggest test of their resurgent forward 50 comes on Friday night against St Kilda.

Ross Lyon’s side is among the most disciplined defensive units in the league, ranking third behind only Sydney and Fremantle for average points against this season.

The Saints suffocated Gold Coast’s ball movement last weekend and will no doubt have a similar game plan for their trip to the Gabba.

Lyon cares little for the spectacle of a contest; happy to make the battle as dour as possible so long as it gives his side the best chance at victory.

It’s a blueprint that has won St Kilda its past two outings against the Eagles and Suns. But a revitalised Brisbane on its home deck will pose a vastly different problem.

Eric Hipwood played one of his best matches against Western Bulldogs. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The Lions have completely flipped their forward half profile over the past six weeks, going from one of the AFL’s least-efficient scoring teams to the best in the business.

Last Friday’s demolition of the Western Bulldogs sounded a warning to the rest of the competition that the Lions could be back to something resembling their brilliant best.

It has Brisbane legend Simon Black believing a run to September is still well and truly on the cards, but he wants to see the forward line firing on all cylinders before he goes all-in on their finals hopes.

“I’m still confident in them. But they need their key forwards performing regularly,” Black told this masthead.

“Against the Bulldogs they got eight goals out of Hipwood and Daniher. They’re going to need that more consistently going forward. Obviously Hipwood has had a down year overall but he was fantastic last weekend.

Simon Black is backing the Lions to mount a finals charge. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“From here on in there’s going to be a lot of finals-type games for Brisbane to qualify in the first instance. But I’m confident if they can play somewhere near their best they should be able to make the eight.”

Black believes getting Charlie Cameron back to his brilliant best will be crucial to the Lions’ finals hopes and more consistency out of game breakers Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner.

“You look at Zac Bailey and you think he’s a couple of goals a game type player and if he’s not giving you that, well maybe sometimes we can judge him a bit harshly,” Black said.

“We’ve seen what (Rayner) is capable of. We know he loves playing midfield and big minutes in there like he did against the Dees, but how does he get a chance to do that regularly with the others around him?

“How can he impact forward more regularly, how can he tear the game open and have an impact aerially and at ground level? I think for him finding that balance of flying for the ball and staying at ground level can be a challenge.

“I think his effort is there. You watch him play and you can see that. It’s what you’re asking for.”

Lachie Neale is likely to be tagged by the Saints. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The Bulldogs chose not to send a run-with player to Lachie Neale last week and paid the ultimate price, with the Lions’ skipper cashing in for 38 disposals and two goals.

He will almost certainly have Marcus Windhager for company on Friday night – the man who has smothered Harley Reid and Touk Miller in his past two games.

Neale is no stranger to a tag, but his midfield mates may have to take on some of the heavy lifting around the ground.

Fagan’s Lions have had the wood over St Kilda in recent years. They have won six of the past seven meetings, though each has been a dour arm wrestle.

In the past six games between the two sides, the Lions have averaged just 71 points per game.

Only two teams have kicked more than 100 points against the Saints this season.

If Brisbane’s resurgent forward line can fire on Friday night, it will be another box ticked on the road to salvaging a September berth.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions legend Simon Black backs Chris Fagan’s side to rescue 2024 AFL season