SIX teams remain in the race to win the first Smithy’s VFL premiership in three years, and for the first time in history there will be no finals played in Victoria this weekend.
Any fears expressed at the start of last year that NEAFL clubs would not be able to be competitive in the Victorian state league have been emphatically put to bed, with four of the six teams still standing being from the former NSW/Qld/ACT/NT competition – Southport, Brisbane Lions, Sydney and Gold Coast.
Three of those will be in action this week, with the Lions to host Carlton – a team they have never beaten – in what could be the last VFL game as a Lions home venue at Moreton Bay Sports Complex’s Red Rooster Park with their new facility at Springfield getting closer to completion.
The other semi-final, on Sunday, sees the Swans playing host to the Suns at Blacktown International Sports Park, and the home team will be desperate to avoid such a promising campaign ending in straight sets against a team that has beaten them five times in a row.
Let’s look at Saturday second semi-final and the history of clashes between the clubs.
3.BRISBANE LIONS (14-5) v 6.CARLTON (12-7)
2ND SEMI FINAL
Saturday, September 3, 12.05pm @ Red Rooster Park, Moreton Bay Sports Complex
(Channel 7 and 7plus; 7mate in Brisbane; Stream on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App, 12pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Carlton 2-0
At Moreton Bay Sports Complex: Never Met
Streak: Carlton 2
THIS SEASON
Round 1, March 25, 2022
Carlton 1.4 4.7 8.12 11.18 84
Brisbane Lions 0.3 1.7 3.11 5.12 42
Goals: CARLTON: B. Crocker, W. Hayes 2, N. Cahill, M. Cottrell, P. Dow, J. Glass-McCasker, Z. Maher, J. Newnes, J. Trudgeon. BRISBANE LIONS: K. Lohmann 2, T. Fullarton, B. Reville, D. Robertson.
Disposals: CARLTON: W. Hayes 33, P. Dow 32, J. Newnes 30, M. Cottrell 25, L. Young 21, J. Trudgeon 20. BRISBANE LIONS: R. Lester 28, R. Mathieson 24, D. Robertson 22, C. Michael 19, K. Lohmann 17.
Marks: CARLTON: L. Young 10, J. Newnes 9, S. Radovanovic 8, M. Cottrell, L. Parks 7, B. Crocker, J. Motlop, T. Williamson 6. BRISBANE LIONS: R. Lester 8, J. Madden 7, H. Arnold, K. Lohmann 6.
Clearances: CARLTON: P. Dow 7, W. Hayes 6. BRISBANE LIONS: R. Mathieson 6, J. Tunstill 5.
Tackles: CARLTON: T. Williamson 9, J. Trudgeon 7, W. Hayes, C. Hirst, M. Lewis 6. BRISBANE LIONS: T. Triffett 8, W. Buzza 7.
Hitouts: CARLTON: A. Mirkov 30, J. Glass-McCasker 10. BRISBANE LIONS: K. Lane 16.
Coaches Votes: P. Dow 10, W. Hayes 6, L. Young 6, J. Newnes 4. BRISBANE LIONS: R. Lester 4.
PREVIOUS FIVE HEAD-TO-HEAD
April 24, 2021: Carlton 24.10 154 def Brisbane Lions 13.7 85 (Princes Park)
PREVIOUS FINALS
Nil
PAST FIVE MATCHES
BRISBANE LIONS
QF: 5.8 38 lost to Southport 12.15 87 (Red Rooster Park)
R22: 10.11 71 def Casey Demons 8.9 57 (Red Rooster Park)
R21: 17.11 113 def Sandringham 13.10 88 (Trevor Barker)
R20: 12.6 78 def Werribee 9.12 66 (Red Rooster Park)
R19: 12.12 84 def Richmond 8.11 59 (Swinburne Centre)
CARLTON
EF: 15.10 100 def Collingwood 10.8 68 (Victoria Park)
R22: 7.9 51 def Collingwood 5.11 41 (MCG)
R21: 5.3 33 lost to Casey Demons 6.13 49 (Casey Fields)
R19: 8.10 58 lost to Williamstown 11.6 72 (Williamstown)
R18: 13.17 95 def GWS 9.4 58 (Ikon Park)
SEVEN KEY MATCH-UPS
Wylie Buzza (Brisbane Lions) v Ben Crocker (Carlton): Used both these players last week and both were very good in their respective games. Crocker is the Blues’ main avenue to goal and has a seven-goal bag against the Lions last year, plus six marks and two goals back in Round 1. Buzza (19 disposals, seven marks last week) is providing strong leadership at the back as well as having the ability to both dominate in the air and run off and create.
Tahj Abberley (Brisbane Lions) v Ned Cahill (Carlton): The only Lion to have played every game, underrated defender Abberley (13.7 disposals, 3.5 marks) doesn’t get a lot of the ball, but always provides a good contest and could be the man to silence the Blues’ livewire, who was a matchwinner with 16 disposals, eight marks and two goals against the Magpies last week.
Darcy Fort (Brisbane Lions) v Alex Mirkov (Carlton): Fort had 16 disposals, five marks and 38 hitouts last week but lowered his colours to Sharks battering ram Brayden Crossley and will be desperate to bounce back. Developing big man Mirkov was a late withdrawal last week and the Blues will be hoping he is fit despite the gutsy efforts of makeshift options Josh Cripps and Dom Akuei against the Magpies. With all due respect to the high-leaping Aiden Begg, this is another step up in the centre circle.
James Tunstill (Brisbane Lions) v Will Setterfield (Carlton): Setterfield was imperious against the Magpies with 40 disposals, seven marks, 13 clearances, six inside-50s and two goals, while Tunstill was the Lions’ best player with 25 touches, five clearances and some nice work through the midfield. If he can reduce Setterfield’s impact by making him work the other way, it will go a long way for the home team.
Mitch Robinson (Brisbane Lions) v Paddy Dow (Carlton): Ineligible last week with his club’s AFL team not playing, the Lions will relish having Robinson on the park – if he isn’t called upon by Chris Fagan on Thursday night of course. He has averaged almost 32 disposals, eight marks, five clearances, seven inside-50s, five tackles per game, while also kicking six goals. Dow has been the Blues’ dominant mid all season, with his 33 disposals, seven marks, six clearances, five entries against Collingwood going under the radar. Probably the contest of this match if it happens.
Henry Smith (Brisbane Lions) v Stefan Radovanovic (Carlton): Smith looked dangerous every time he went near the ball against Southport, despite finishing with only 12 touches and five marks. If the Lions decide to go through him at centre half-forward he has the height to cause plenty of problems for the Blues’ backs. Radovanovic has developed into a quality intercept marker across that line and should be tasked with picking off those forward forays.
Tom Fullarton (Brisbane Lions) v Sam Durdin (Carlton): Again two players featured in last week’s preview, with Fullarton kicking 2.2 but being quieter than he would have liked as the ball simply didn’t get in there enough. He has kicked 25.19 for the year to lead his team and a strong performance will take the pressure of Blake Coleman, Kai Lohmann and the midfielders to kick a score. Durdin held Ollie Henry to just one goal and is the man for the job once again.
SUMMARY
The Lions were in terrific form before last week’s disappointing outing against the Sharks, when they were never in the game, so confidence is high they can bounce back quickly and earn a trip to Casey Fields next week. The Blues climbed out of their funk just in time to save their finals berth and back-to-back wins over Collingwood at least gives them some bragging rights back. Carlton has not lost to the Lions before, but both those convincing wins were at Ikon Park and this is a much tougher ask.
EARLY PREDICTION: Brisbane Lions by 26
Twitter: @BRhodesVFL
To thank football fans for their outstanding support throughout the 2022 season, the AFL is pleased to announce that entry to all matches in Weeks One to Three of the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series will be free.
For the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, admission prices will be adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free.
All remaining matches in the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network via Channel 7 and 7plus, including the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
Viewers outside of Victoria can tune in to Seven’s Smithy’s VFL coverage via 7plus. This weekend’s match between Brisbane Lions and Carlton will also be available on 7mate for viewers in Brisbane.
All finals, including the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, will be streamed live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
