Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews says lacklustre Lions must lift to beat Melbourne

The Lions will get a former captain back and an embarrassing opening round performance which created questions about complacency.

Brisbane co-captain Harris Andrews has denied the Lions “got ahead of ourselves” and took a complacent attitude into the opening round after a stellar pre-season.

The opening round loss to Port Adelaide has put Brisbane under the pump ahead of a showdown with red-hot Melbourne on Friday night, with former captain Dayze Zorko a chance to play.

Zorko had an interrupted pre-season due to a hamstring issue but has been the given the selection green light and just in time for the Lions.

Having beaten last season’s grand finalists Geelong and Sydney in trials, the Lions, boosted by the arrival of prized recruits Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston and Will Ashcroft had been expected to take care of Port in the opening round.

Zorks has been given the green light + an update on Kiddy 👇https://t.co/CzqlRS305X

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) March 21, 2023

But instead the Lions produced a woeful weekend display at Adelaide Oval, going down by 52 points, having been outscored 87-21 in the second half.

After the loss Lions coach Chris Fagan questioned his team’s attitude.

“We came into the game with confidence given our (pre-season) form but perhaps that was the problem,” Fagan said.

“We had two good games against the Swans and Geelong. Whether that was an influencing factor, whether we turned up here and perhaps thought we were going a little bit better than we were … it’s hard to say.”

However, Andrews was adamant his side had not become cocky.

“I wouldn’t say we got ahead of ourselves,” Andrews said.

“We weren’t going into the game thinking how easy is this going to be. We’d be kidding ourselves if we came into AFL games thinking that.

“We just got outworked by a good team. Port came with a steelier mindset into the game.

“They were really keen for the contest and we obviously weren’t. There’s no real sugar-coating it.”

Port Adelaide was far too good for the Lions. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Things won’t get any easier for the Lions on Friday when they host 2021 premiers Melbourne at the Gabba.

However, Andrews said his side had no choice but to “respond” and “make peace” with last Saturday’s embarrassing performance.

“As a group over the last couple of years, we’ve had some bad losses like that, but then our ability to bounce back is something that stands out for us,” he said.

“We’re going to get a real understanding of where we’re at as a footy team.”

The microscope will be particularly on the Lions star-studded midfielders, including the likes of Dunkley. Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry and co-captain Lachie Neale, who were destroyed by Port after halftime.

“You look at our pre-season – our mids have been fantastic,” Andrews said.

“Their ability to get their hands on the ball first (and) defensively put some good pressure on has been really good throughout the pre-season.

Lions coach Chris Fagan gives his players a bake. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“You have ups and downs throughout the season, and probably they (the midfielders) copped a bit of a whack over the weekend, but I’m sure that they’re going to respond, and they get a great challenge against a really potent Melbourne midfield.

“It’s a great opportunity.”

Andrews was hopeful that Zorko would be available for selection after missing the trip to Adelaide because of a hamstring injury.

“He’s been tracking really well. It’d be awesome to get him back at some point,” Andrews said of veteran Zorko.

“He brings such energy to the club. His ability to put pressure on the field and bring that hunger to the contest (that) we probably missed on the weekend would be great.”