AFL 2021: Brisbane Lions forced to reshuffle forward line after qualifying final loss to Melbourne Demons

The Brisbane Lions were outclassed in the first week of the AFL finals series but the bad news didn’t end there for Chris Fagan’s men.

The Lions will face either the Bulldogs or the Bombers next week. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Brisbane will be forced to alter its forward line for the second week of finals after already ruling out forward Daniel McStay after he was concussed in the loss to Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

However, Lions coach Chris Fagan was adamant there would be only minor tweaks to the attack for the clash against the winner of the elimination final between Western Bulldogs and Essendon.

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Fagan also claimed defender Ryan Lester would be a certain starter next weekend after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Rhys Mathieson, the medical sub who replaced McStay in the opening quarter against the Demons, is in doubt due to a shoulder issue, but Fagan expects experienced defender Grant Birchall to play.

Birchall played out the contest against the Demons despite spending an extended period on the bench in the opening half after hurting his knee.

“We have been the best offence in the competition,” Fagan said. “You don’t jump off the ship on one poor performance.

“You tend to back your guys in. We will have to make one change with Dan out and there will be some tinkering. But we have not got too many guys playing football at the moment given the reserves have not played for quite a few weeks.

“So it’s not like there are a whole lot of match fit guys waiting for an opportunity.”

The Lions already lost key forward Eric Hipwood to injury earlier in the season, and now they’ve lost McStay. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fagan said the loss of McStay early damaged the side’s structure and noted it took players time to adjust. He refused to use injuries as an excuse though and said the Demons were the better team.

The Demons won the contested possession and territory battle, according to Fagan, and had more contributors.

“We had to defend 60 odd inside 50s and that is a bit overwhelming to expect defenders to do that continuously,” he said.

“That is the bottom line.

“We had a number of players playing below their best in a big final. Playing against a great team like Melbourne, you can’t afford to have any passengers.”

Fagan’s Lions have finished in the top four for three consecutive seasons. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fagan said it was important not to dwell on the defeat and quickly focus on the next challenge.

Asked if he still had confidence in the team travelling deep into the finals, Fagan said there was always an over reaction to the team which loses the qualifying, while the team which wins the elimination final is praised as being in great form.

“We have worked hard to get the double chance and there is an opportunity to bounce back next week,” he said.

“We have to turn our minds to next week and not lament what happened tonight too much.

“What is important now is how we play next week.”

Originally published as AFL 2021: Brisbane Lions forced to reshuffle forward line after qualifying final loss to Melbourne Demons