If Brisbane can’t take down an undermanned Collingwood on Friday night, they don’t have what it takes to win the premiership – according to David King.
The two top teams of 2023 will face off at Marvel Stadium, with the Magpies missing Darcy Moore, Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey, arguably their three most important players.
On top of that, given Port Adelaide plays Fremantle (away) and Richmond to finish the season, a Brisbane loss could see them lose out on second spot on the ladder.
This would see them in Adelaide against the Power for a Qualifying Final and potentially in Victoria for a Preliminary Final, a significantly tough road to the cup.
“I think the top four will finish as it is as the moment with Collingwood first, Brisbane second, Port Adelaide third and Melbourne fourth,” King told SEN’s The Picks.
“Let’s just call a spade a spade. If Brisbane are to win the flag this year, they’ve got to beat Collingwood on Friday without Darcy Moore, Nick Daicos, Bobby Hill and Jordan De Goey.
“Simple as that. If they’re not good enough to beat Collingwood on Friday night, all guns blazing, all on the line – if they can’t win this, in my opinion, they can’t win it. Put up or shut up.
“I’m tipping them, I think Brisbane gets the job done.”
King believes Lions veteran Dayne Zorko has been quiet since returning to the side from injury and wonders how many more opportunities he will get at a premiership tilt.
“How many more opportunities are you going to get to win a flag if you’re Dayne Zorko,” King said.
“He’ll be 35 in February next year. He’s had a fantastic career. This is almost it, isn’t it?
“He’s played forward since he came back into the line-up and he’s hardly hit the scoreboard.
“He’s played 40 per cent midfield and 60 per cent forward and hasn’t set the world on fire.
“I think tonight – it’s a bit night for Dayne Zorko to just try and separate this game.”
The Lions have injury issues of their own, with Jack Gunston and Will Ashcroft out of their best 22.