Brisbane Lions defenders to work together to stop threat of ‘superstar’ Lance Franklin
The Brisbane defence will work overtime in trying to contain star Swans forward Lance “Buddy” Franklin on Sunday at the SCG.
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Lions backman Marcus Adams has called for a collective effort from Brisbane’s in-form defensive unit to stop Swans star Lance Franklin at the SCG on Sunday.
Nullifying the threat of “Buddy” will send the Lions a long way towards winning at Sydney’s home ground for the first time in 13 years.
“He’s a superstar – probably one of the best players ever,” Adams said of Franklin.
“He’s just been unbelievable. His ability to get up and down the ground, he’s obviously good overhead, he’s strong, he’s fit, fast and has great game sense and great skills – he’s a tough one to stop.
“We’ve got to try to work as a bit of a group to minimise his toolset and take a few things off him.”
Adams was pleased with the way’s Brisbane’s defence had performed this season, particularly in last weekend’s 52-point QClash win over the Gold Coast Suns.
“Defensively our pressure and hunt was probably better on the weekend. It’s probably the best that it’s been this year,” he said.
That “pressure and hunt” has included Adams’ knack of intercepting marks. He is averaging more than four intercepts per match.
“I think it’s just been lucky really, to be honest,” a modest Adams said.
“It’s fallen in my lap a little bit to start, which is nice to get the ball rolling a bit personally, but I don’t know if that’ll continue on that line or if that’s just how it’s gone early days.”
The Lions will hope it continues on Sunday at a venue that hasn’t been kind to them and former Western Bulldog Adams in recent years.
“They’re super tough to beat down there as well. We haven’t went down there since 2009, and I only played there a couple of times with the Dogs, and they were pretty heavy losses as well,” Adams said.
“It’s a big challenge for us and one we’re looking forward to.
“We need to slow down the ball movement and try to stop them from getting their uncontested marks and being able to get their ball movement going how they like to get it going.
“Obviously it’s a challenge that everyone struggles with against them. They’ve been going really well.”
As have the Lions, with both teams having won five from six this season to trail leaders Melbourne by four points.
“We’ve been lucky to keep on winning games early in the season,” Adams said.
“It’s obviously important to get the season off to a good start because we’re sort of chasing our tails throughout last year, but we certainly haven’t played to the level that we really want to get to.
“Ultimately we’re not just chasing wins, we’re trying to chase our best football, so if we can continue to build on that throughout the year, that’s something that we’re continually working on week on week.”
Originally published as Brisbane Lions defenders to work together to stop threat of ‘superstar’ Lance Franklin
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