Marcus Adams believes fellow Lions defender Harris Andrews is being unfairly criticised

Marcus Adams predicts his Brisbane Lions teammate Harris Andrews will respond to criticism with an impressive display against Fremantle on Sunday.

The form of Lions defender Harris Andrews has come under scrutiny. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lions strongman Marcus Adams has defended to form of Harris Andrews, saying his fellow Brisbane defender was a victim of his own high standards.

Despite the second-placed Lions’ impressive start to the 2022 AFL season, Andrews performances have come under scrutiny.

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes is among those to have questioned Andrews’ form and intensity.

“I always find that interesting,” Adams said of the criticism of two-time All-Australian Andrews.

“Maybe because he’s got such high standards, he dips below them a little bit, and the spotlight gets put on him.

“I think he’s been really good this year. If you look at his contested defensive one-on-ones, he’s had the most in the league (57) and one of the best percentages in terms of not getting beaten.

“He helps the rest of the guys around him as well. He’s always working to get better.”

Adams said Andrews took the criticism to heart and expected a telling response from him in Brisbane’s heavyweight battle with Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

“He’s a pretty proud sort guy and he takes a lot of pride in his performance and what he does for the team,” Adams said.

“It won’t stop him from going out and doing the best he can each week.”

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— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) June 2, 2022

The Lions will need to improve as a defensive unit to beat a Fremantle side high on confidence after last weekend becoming the first team this season to defeat reigning premiers Melbourne.

“It's something we’ve got to be more diligent on and tidy up, and we’ll be looking forward to doing that this week,” Adams said.

“(Fremantle) have been great all year. They’ve beaten Melbourne and Carlton so they’ve had some pretty good wins, which is a credit to them, and the way they’ve been playing.

“Their pressure’s been elite so we’re going to have to work through that and see what we can do, and on their home deck, they play pretty well.”

Not that the Lions fear Fremantle at Optus Stadium, having thrashed the Dockers by 64 points at the same venue last season.

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said the heavy defeat had taught his team some valuable lessons.

“We learned that we need to be better at the contest, and we (needed) a big summer in the gym to match their big bodies all over the ground,” Longmuir said.

“Brisbane has clearly got some strengths all over the ground and play an exciting brand of footy.

“I feel like we’ve improved in that area. Our contest work is in good order, and we’re ready for the challenge.”

Originally published as Marcus Adams believes fellow Lions defender Harris Andrews is being unfairly criticised