Round 2 - Brisbane v Essendon - Saturday 1st April 6:25 - GABBA

[Torpedo10]

Looks like if you are essendon you can hold back and not be penalised

Come on Ringo, Zorko shoved him in the back and he knew it. Hence the face in hands.

[AaronKirk]

The Gabba looks pretty empty. How big did they say the crowd is?

Over 21,000 which considering the events of the week in Queensland is a very good crowd.

We were poor but got the win.

[Ringo]

The Gabba looks pretty empty. How big did they say the crowd is?

Over 21,000 which considering the events of the week in Queensland is a very good crowd.

We were poor but got the win.

Did you get to the game AK.  Looks like they have quarantined a section as there were no one in the top tiers at the Northern end.

[Ringo]

Looks like if you are essendon you can hold back and not be penalised

Come on Ringo, Zorko shoved him in the back and he knew it. Hence the face in hands.

Was not refering to the Zorks one was referring to the one in the last quarter whereTipa and Gardiner were charging after a ball that had gone forward.  Tipa had a fair grab of Garrdiners Jersey and no free paid. Is a free any day of the week.  Resulted in a Dons goal. looked like on the night Tippa was umpires pet as he drew 2 dubiuous frees,

In saying that Bombers deserved the win as we laboured late in the last quarter but definitely did not deserve to lose by 5 goals.

[Ringo]

Just home from the game and it was a great game. Very good effort by Lions but they appeared to run out of steam in the last quarter, 

Was surprised to see that according to stats we won the clearances and contested possessions.  We really got belted in clearances in second quarter when Bombers run up a huge lead. Do not know what Fagan said to the boys at 3/4 time but it worked and we pegged the lead back.

Must remember that this lions team is the youngest in the league so as we get more games into them we will rise. Hipwood looks good up front, along with Close and will be interesting when Schache is fit. Barret looks good but went missing is 2nd quarter.
Beams and rockliff are working well together with Beams showing what we have missed over the last 2 years.  His 60 metre goal showed he has distance as well. Zorko is zorko but wish he could cut some silly mistakes out of his game.
Martin dominated the rucks and showed what he can do as sole ruck.

From a bomber perspective Mcgrath is looking good and really pleased with Fantasia. Heppell and Merrett are stars and will continue to improve as match fitmess is gained.

There were dubious umpiring decisions that went both ways but the bombers seemed to get the 50/50 in more advantageous positions 3 inside the forward 50 to Lions 0.  Would really like to see umpires concentrating on players who run with the ball more. This happened to both sides and have seen it in firt rounds as well. Thought you could only run 15 steps without bouncing Ball - Fantasias goal he ran 22 steps and Taylor also ran 23 steps for Lions so to show goes both ways.
Rulings on Holding the Ball is really going to be contentious this year.  Do not want to compare umpires but tonight we seen different interpretations from officiating umpires. One was very quick to blow the penalty allowing little time, yet another appeared to let go for a while. 

[GoLions]

Tbh we deserved to lose that game with the way we used the ball in the first half of the 2nd quarter, and the 2nd half of the last quarter. Bombers capitalised on our butchery going forward, and made the most of their opportunities on the counterattack.

But flower me, that free against Harwood was worse than the Puopolo free kick :P

[nas]

E Hipwood looks good for the future for the Lions.

[GoLions]

E Hipwood looks good for the future for the Lions.

After his first game or 2, i liked him more than Schache ahaha, he's gonna be an absolute gun in a few years time

[Ringo]

E Hipwood looks good for the future for the Lions.

After his first game or 2, i liked him more than Schache ahaha, he's gonna be an absolute gun in a few years time

Agree on Hipwood - He has filled out nicely and a nice kicking action.

We still need to learn to play for 4 quarters take out the second quarter where Bombers kicked 6 goals to 1 we were competitive all night. Pleased with our effort compared to some games last year,

[AaronKirk]

The Gabba looks pretty empty. How big did they say the crowd is?

Over 21,000 which considering the events of the week in Queensland is a very good crowd.

We were poor but got the win.

Did you get to the game AK.  Looks like they have quarantined a section as there were no one in the top tiers at the Northern end.

I've not been feeling well today so didn't go to the game. After some panadol and a lie down I felt a lot better so I went for a walk down to the ground after the game to have a chat and have some photo's with the players.

Also had a chat to Lewy Taylor and Mitch Robinson after the bombers team bus left and was walking home. Robbo gets a bad wrap on the field but I'll never say any bad words about him again. They bloke is a champ. Happily was taking photos with fans, most of whom were bombers fans.

There is a clear crowd favourite for Bomber fans waiting to get photos/autographs after the game. That has to be McDonald-Tipungwuti. He is amazing with the fans. As were McGrath, Baguley, Zaka, Heppell, BJ and Watson.

The rest didn't stick around long and went straight onto the bus.

[Ringo]

The Gabba looks pretty empty. How big did they say the crowd is?

Over 21,000 which considering the events of the week in Queensland is a very good crowd.

We were poor but got the win.

Did you get to the game AK.  Looks like they have quarantined a section as there were no one in the top tiers at the Northern end.

I've not been feeling well today so didn't go to the game. After some panadol and a lie down I felt a lot better so I went for a walk down to the ground after the game to have a chat and have some photo's with the players.

Also had a chat to Lewy Taylor and Mitch Robinson after the bombers team bus left and was walking home. Robbo gets a bad wrap on the field but I'll never say any bad words about him again. They bloke is a champ. Happily was taking photos with fans, most of whom were bombers fans.

There is a clear crowd favourite for Bomber fans waiting to get photos/autographs after the game. That has to be McDonald-Tipungwuti. He is amazing with the fans. As were McGrath, Baguley, Zaka, Heppell, BJ and Watson.

The rest didn't stick around long and went straight onto the bus.

Yes Robbo is a favourite on fan days - Nothing is too much trouble for him.  He has given Brisbane some of the mongrel we were missing previously.  He is just hard at it on the field but a gentleman off the field.  You would have gathered talking too him he is very happy up here and enjoying being out of the melbourne lime light.