‘Want to match us’: Lions’ theory on slow starts

Brisbane Lions defender Jack Payne has addressed his side’s slow starts to matches and hopes a star could return to bolster the back six as early as this weekend.

The Brisbane Lions have been slow out of the blocks to start this year and defender Jack Payne has suggested it could be due to opposition scouting their strengths and firing early to match their intensity.

The Lions have spun deficits in each of their three wins this season, including five-goal margins against West Coast and Geelong.

While they came from behind twice in their brilliant finals dash last season, Payne believes the Lions’ first quarters are their strength and may have been studied in the off-season.

“Traditionally we’ve actually been a really good first-quarter team in the past, I feel the opposition has been putting a lot of work into that,” he said.

“Whether they sort of want to match us at that sort of start towards the game, but the way we were able to adapt is really positive.”

Jack Payne hopes Tom Doedee could return as soon as this weekend. Picture Lachie Millard

Injured defender Tom Doedee has made strides in his recovery from a torn ACL and Payne hopes to see him return as soon as this weekend.

“He’s going really well, unfortunate for Tommy with the news around last year redoing his knee,” Payne said.

“He brings a lot to the club and all the boys are really excited for him to be back out there, hopefully this weekend.

“He’s in great spirits, it’s exciting times, even (Keidean) ‘Kiddy’ Coleman is just around the corner, exciting for those boys and we just rally around them.

“If it is to be this weekend for Tommy’s return then it’s exciting for the club.”

Brisbane should improve its record to 4-0 this weekend as it tackles Richmond at the MCG.

“If you look at Richmond’s stats for the year, they played really well against Carlton in the opening game,” he said.

“We know it’s going to be a tough battle once again, they’re an exciting team, they’ve got a lot of youth.”

Originally published as ‘Want to match us’: Lions’ theory on slow starts