BRISBANE bounced back from a big Round 1 loss in an equally as big way, accounting for Melbourne by 18 points in a pretty dominant performance. 

Although it was a pretty complete performance, there was one particular aspect of Saturday’s game that was a significant improvement for Brisbane on Round 1, and really had the Dees on the hop. 

Even though the Lions only won the clearances by two more than what they did last week, their outside run and carry and uncontested possession work was really what set them up for victory.

What would happen at many centre bounces is that Tahlia Hickie (who helped Brisbane significantly improve their hitout count) would get first touch of the ball, and effectively guide it down to the likes of particularly Ally Anderson, but also the likes of Sophie Conway and to a lesser extent Charlotte Mullins, who were given far too much space on the outside and able to work it out to and down the wing and to their forward line.

This resulted in the Lions having a significant turnaround in the uncontested disposal side of the game. They went from losing it by 39 in week one to winning it by 25 in week two. 

In a match where the inside 50 count and disposal efficiency was pretty similar between the two sides, that ability to create space heading towards the forward 50 gives the forwards inside that 50m arc better opportunity to create space for themselves to go and lead for the ball. 

With the way Brisbane’s forward structure is set up, the two key targets there in Dakota Davidson and Taylor Smith need space with which to work, and their smaller forwards like Courtney Hodder are not in and under types, so need that outside space to use their speed to their advantage and kick truly. 

Another area that Brisbane really did well in on the weekend was they shut down Melbourne’s natural game.  Melbourne has become renowned for its handball game, which drives its momentum through midfield. 

However, that was well and truly not the case on the weekend. 

Brisbane won that particular stat by 38 handballs on the week, which by comparison is more than double what Melbourne’s average was for winning that stat per week last year.