Lions primed for another shot in September after ruthless performance against Collingwood to secure the double chance
Photo: Sam Draper’s teammates get around him after kicking a well-deserved goal in his 100th game (photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
The Lions went to the MCG and did what they needed to. Yet another top 4 finish for Fagan’s troops, and a third-place finish looks ominous after the boys finish off the home and away season with a dominant away win in Melbourne.
For the first time, it was the 21-year-old forward Logan Morris, the top goal kicker on the night. A sensational year ends for the forward as he kicked his highest bag of goals in his career, a career high 8 goals against a pies defence that didn’t have any answers for the Lion Cub. It caps off a wonderful 3rd year for the young gun as he finishes with 63 goals and at least in the top 5 in the Coleman race, which we all know is huge for a 3rd year player. What a star he is!
Fellow forward Oscar Allen was also the peak of the goalkickers, booting a season high 5 majors, whose also starting to find good solid form at the right time of year. Irishman Conor Mckenna was also a major highlight for the boys kicking a career high 4 goals, including two rippers, both right up there for goal of the year contenders.
Our young prince Will Ashcroft had another solid game on the home of football, the MCG, with 25 disposals and a goal. After his incredible season where he averages 28.7 for the year, has to be a All-Australian lock, and most definitely the Clubs best and fairest, just adding to his already stacked cabinet of medals. Veretan midfielder Lachie Neale was impressive finishing a strong season with 35 disposals, also I would think is a possibility for another All-Australian blazer and club best and fairest. Clearly two of our best midfielders this season.
A major highlight for the stat lovers was the boys scoring their highest score for the season, 159 points. Suggesting maybe the three key forward system is the way to go in the finals, who knows. It finishes our season ranked as the second highest scoring team in the competition of 108.7 points. Overall, this is an excellent result for the season and something the team should be proud of, In contrast to our recent years, in the premiership years, where we ranked fifth in 2024 and sixth last year when we went back-to-back. On the defence, its quite the opposite, with all the speculation of our lack of defence during the season, the high scores haven’t helped us, as we coughed up eight 100-point scores across the twenty-three round season. This could be a certain to some as there was only one time where 100 points were kicked against the boys last year. The return of Ty Gallop clearly gave the defensive structure that the Lions rely on for their defence, and he had a quiet but solid game with 5 intercept possessions, back from suspension. With awards night around the corner.
I thought the lead up and the game itself came and went very quickly, and it didn’t just feel quick, the boys were on from the start kicking five goals within the first quarter. Once the second quarter was over, we were all looking at our percentage, and the 63-point win provided a well needed boost, finishing at 121.7%.
We also look forward to getting some potential representatives in the All-Australian squad, highlighting some of the great players that we are blessed to have recruited to the Club, and full credit to the boys on their year.
As the weekend finished, we all know we are heading to the SCG in a fortnight to play a undermanned Swans outfit that are severely under pressure for obvious reasons. A home preliminary final seems hopeful, as the swans look to “torpedo” their season, suggesting that they will throw everything they’ve got to beat us. One week at a time should be the focus as we look forward to our eighth straight finals series and our overall goal of a historical three-peat.
As we finish the regular season, we reflect on another marathon season that was 2026. Finishing third on the ladder was, unlikely to say the least at the end of round 13 after our third straight loss to Fremantle, to sent us to 7 wins and 6 losses and sitting at ninth on the ladder. We had every right to give up on another premiership but that’s not this team is about. Every journo was writing the boys off. David King had hes rant of “she’ll be right”. The resilience of this team is incredible and just shows the loyalty and faith that Coach Fagan has in his troops. There shouldn’t be any expectations with the boys in September, we know they’ll just give it their all this year, that’s what you want, to give yourself a shot at glory. All we have to do is believe Lions fans!
