Brisbane will host Port Adelaide on Saturday with hopes of upsetting them to claim their second win of the year.
The Lions started the season with a bang and came away with a small win over Gold Coast, but while they’ve been competitive since they haven’t added to that yet.
Last week they nearly shocked the reigning premiers, leading the Western Bulldogs by a sizeable margin at half time, but completely fell away by that to ultimately lose by a comfortable margin.
They’re sporting a very young team at the moment that has shown some real competitiveness at times but doesn’t have the wherewithal to play four quarters of good footy.
Port Adelaide on the other hand appear to be finally back in action after two years in the wilderness and playing quite well.
Their record is only 3-2 but their losses have come against Adelaide and GWS, the most impressive teams in the comp, and they didn’t dishonour themselves in either.
They’re a mature side with a decent amount of talent across the park and it’s no surprise that they are the comfortable favourites here.
Brisbane have made three changes, bringing in Darcy Gardiner, Tom Cutler and Michael Close to replace Cedric Cox, Ryan Bastinac and Liam Dawson, all omitted.
Port Adelaide have made two – recalling Jack Hombsch and Hamish Hartlett, but losing captain Travis Boak to a hamstring and dropping first-game Aidyn Johnson.
The loss of their skipper certainly does hurt Port Adelaide and the Lions should look to take advantage at the contest with the likes of Tom Rockliff and Dayne Beams to do some damage.
Still, you’d expert Port Adelaide’s class and maturity to get them over the line, but maybe not by as much as they would at home with their captain.
The odds say this could be a big Port win but we’ll be on the $2.37 for a 1-39 points win as the real value.