Irked Brisbane coach Chris Fagan will demand a better defensive display from the Lions on Sunday against Adelaide at the Gabba.
Fagan was unimpressed with the Lions’ defence in last weekend’s two-point loss to the Demons at the MCG.
“We played well on offence and we played well on contest, (but) we played poorly on defence, so there’s a big focus on that this week,” the Lions mentor said on Thursday.
Despite scoring more than 100 points of their own, the Lions still lost. It was a similar scenario in Brisbane’s Opening Round home loss to the Western Bulldogs.
“It was the whole system, and it’s been the case in a couple of games this year … where we kick 100 points in both those games, but we lose,” Fagan said,
“That just says there’s something wrong with your defence, so we’ll go to work on that.”
The Lions will be without midfielder Jarrod Berry for at least their next three games due to a calf strain.
And Brisbane’s defensive stocks already compromised by the absences of Dayne Zorko (calf), Darcy Gardiner (shoulder) and Jack Payne (knee) will be further depleted by the loss of Noah Answerth, who has entered protocols after suffering another concussion last Sunday.
However, Fagan said Answerth had seemingly recovered well.
“He’s really good, which I’m pleased about. I was worried for him. I’m always worried for the boys that get hit in the head, whether they’ve had one hit or two hits or three hits,” Fagan said.
“He was really bright (on Wednesday), so that’s a good sign, because sometimes they get worse two or three days later.”
Fagan was reluctant to comment on Answerth’s playing future.
“It’s a bit early to be asking those questions. There’s a bit of water to pass under the bridge … but judging by his response to the weekend, I would say it hasn’t been a bad blow to him at this point in time, (but) I’m no medical expert,” he said.
Fagan was confident the Lions had the depth to cover their growing list of absent defenders.
“I’ve always seen it that way since I’ve been at this club – if there’s a problem, there’s an opportunity,” the two-time premiership-winning coach said
