Rd 18 - Brisbane vs Adelaide - Sat 21/07 7:25pm GABBA

[Trindacut]

This might have looked a dour match on the fixture a month ago, but not anymore. After being competitive for much of the season but struggling to win games, the Lions have strung together three successive wins, capped off by a commanding victory over Hawthorn in Launceston last weekend. The young brigade has been on fire, led by 20-year-old forward Eric Hipwood, midfield tyros Hugh McCluggage and Jarrod Berry, and the swagger of No.1 draft pick Cam Rayner, who kicked three goals against the Hawks. With many of its best players recently back from injury, Adelaide is again in the top-eight hunt after defeating Geelong in its last start. Rory Sloane's contract extension seemed to give the Crows some impetus and re-established a midfield that was one of the best in the AFL last year. Skipper Taylor Walker's absence through suspension will hurt, but with a sniff of finals in their nostrils, the Crows might just sneak home here, but nothing the Lions do would surprise any more.

[Ringo]

Interesting odds for the Lions against a top 8 side shortest we have been for ages.

Something that a lot may not know this is the 500th game for the lions since the merger so could be an added incentive.

Look through the stats and there is very little difference between the 2 sides, Equal on points for difference in against due to our one big thrashing and all other stats.

Only concern is it is our first Night game at the Gabba and the boys may not be used to it especially the dew falling and will be a little cold.

Hoping for another upset against a top 8 side aspiration.

[Trindacut]

Interesting odds for the Lions against a top 8 side shortest we have been for ages.

They aren't really a Top 8 side.

But should be a cracking game none the less. If the Lions get up against the Crows, who are getting a lot of their best 22 back, then I'd be getting up and about if I were a supporter.

[Trindacut]

No late changes

[TomK]

These umps are flowering atrocious

[Ringo]

These umps are flowering atrocious

Agree TK and it went both ways. At times you sit in the stands and wonder what umpires are looking at to miss the obvious. They have a hard job to do but they need to get the simple things right. 3 times tonight they pointed wrong way for free kicks before correcting as a simple example.
In saying that we lost because we did not take the chances we should have.