Brisbane’s warts were on full display during their Thursday night loss, with their key position players at both ends of the ground (with the exception of Harris Andrews) exposed.
Without Marcus Adams and Darcy Gardiner, the Lions are relying on delisted Saint Darragh Joyce and Jack Payne in key defensive slots.
Inside 50, Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher combined for 1.5, six marks and 13 disposals against the Bulldogs and are yet to have much of an impact this season.
Kane Cornes believes the Lions can’t win the flag as currently constructed, with Hipwood and Daniher both unreliable.
“I’ll say it, they can’t win the flag with Daniher and Hipwood,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.
“The decision to give Hipwood a seven-year contract, and I said this two weeks ago, this is the reason I bang on about it, he’s contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2029, he touches the ball six times a game and if you’re lucky you get one goal from him – then you get all the other frustrations that come with him.
“They’ve thought, ‘this is the guy to give a seven-year contract to’. It’s astounding and Daniher is maybe the most frustrating player in the competition. His good is as good as anyone.
“Jack Gunston is 31, he’s not there to be the main target and the one they’re relying on to get back into the game and taking contested marks in the forward line. He should be the icing on the cake.”
Kane has already inducted Eric Hipwood's contract into his "Hall of Shame"
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) March 20, 2023
via @SENSportsday pic.twitter.com/K3Phg97eso
David King worries that the Lions have too many players that tend to fluctuate in form and believes it holds them back.
“Of the contenders, is this the most difficult group to coach?” King asked.
“You’re driving to the game last night and you’re Chris Fagan you know what Lachie Neale is going to do, you know what Josh Dunkley is going to do, Harris Andrews is one of our leaders, (Brandon) Starcevich is pretty good, (Darcy) Wilmot was really good, you know what (Oscar) McInerney and Gunston are going to do – but the rest … the gap between their best and their worst for Charlie Cameron, Hipwood, Daniher, (Lincoln) McCarthy, (Cam) Rayner – they can’t find a spot for him, you’ve got no idea who the next tall back is, I know Darcy Gardiner is injured.
“Is it the most difficult coaching job of the contender type teams?”
Brisbane will have an immediate opportunity to prove themselves, hosting Collingwood next Thursday night.