Brisbane Lions ‘biggest flaw’ exposed once again in big game

The Brisbane Lions may be premiership contenders, but one glaring hole in their game continues to rear its head in key games.

Brisbane’s biggest flaw exposed again.

The Brisbane Lions have been one of the teams to beat all season long, but Richmond reduced them to toothless house cats on Tuesday night at Metricon Stadium.

At quarter time the Lions only trailed by one straight kick in what was living up to the Grand Final preview many expected it to be.

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Things quickly turned ugly for the Lions and at the end of the contest, they only had themselves to blame as the Tigers claimed the 12.10 (82) to 4.17 (41) victory.

In the final three quarters both teams registered 16 scoring shots, but it was the Lions’ woeful inaccuracy in front of the big sticks that once again exposed the biggest hole in their premiership credentials.

The Lions have been rubbish kicks at goal for a long time. They’re a very good side and are clearly contenders but it’s hard to see them winning a premiership until they fix their biggest flaw. #afl #afltigerslions

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) August 4, 2020

Three separate Lions all ended with three behinds to their name in Charlie Cameron, Lincoln McCarthy and Jarryd Lyons.

The ugly showing in front of goal makes it the second straight time against the Lions their inaccuracy has cost them dearly against the Tigers. In the opening week of the finals last year they were smashed after kicking eight goals and 17 behinds.

Throughout the 2020 season so far, the Lions have only on four occassions finished a game with more goals than behinds.

Dustin Martin led the charge for the Tigers with the electrifying midfield star and his teammates doing as they pleased through the middle of the ground and recording their 14th straight victory over the Lions.

Up forward it was the twin towers in Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt who looked as good as they have all season long, combining for seven goals.

Dustin Martin doing Dustin Martin things 🧙‍♂️#AFLTigersLions pic.twitter.com/Jzs4wXeVce

— AFL (@AFL) August 4, 2020

Lynch however could be set to face a week on the sideline after pushing the head of Lions defender Alex Witherden down towards the turf after a run from behind tackle.

“Reckon Tom Lynch probably gets a week for this. Intentional, low impact, high contact = 1 game,” Fox Footy’s Tom Morris tweeted.

A pressing issue in the first half came in the interpretation behind the deliberate out of bounds rule.

Fans and commentators were left perplexed by a series of bizarre umpiring decisions paid against the Tigers in the space of 30 seconds.

“It rolled about a metre in front of Pickett,” St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.

Melbourne champion Garry Lyon added: “Essentially any kick out of bounds between the arcs is gonna be paid.

“The umpire must be a good judge of footy talent, because the players can’t bend the ball like that, so he’s assessed that was exactly what he meant.”

Then a few seconds later, Ivan Soldo’s accidental kick out of bounds was also penalised.

“Oh no,” Lyon said. “I’m telling you Rooey, last man to kick it or touch it gives a free kick!”

Riewoldt responded: “Then just bring the rule in.”