New Brisbane forward Brandon Ryan will make his club debut against his ex-teammates when Brisbane and Hawthorn do battle in their first-ever meeting at Marvel Stadium.
Ryan replaced suspended tall Eric Hipwood at Thursday night’s selection, becoming the fourth Lions debutant in four weeks as Brisbane continues to throw fresh faces into the mix amid an injury crisis.
“It’s hard to believe I was making my debut less than 12 months ago for Hawthorn, now against them for another team,” Ryan said, per AAP. “It’s special; a bit of a full circle moment as I also made my debut at Marvel with the Hawks.”
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The two teams are coming into the game situated outside the top eight, with Brisbane 4-1-5 on the year – though coming off the back of a 119-point demolition of the Tigers – and the Hawks 3-7.
But despite strong form in recent years, Brisbane hasn’t beaten Hawthorn since 2019, losing the past four meetings between the clubs.
“Pretty clearly it just comes down to work rate and mindset,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
“That’s no disrespect to Hawthorn. They played very well against us in those games, but we were nowhere near our best.
“We’ve just got to make sure that we’re somewhere near our best or at our best on the weekend.
“If we are, then we give ourselves a good chance. If we’re not, then the same thing will happen.”
Brisbane is 7-1 (88%) at Marvel Stadium since the start of 2020, while Hawthorn is 6-8 (43%).
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo or via Hubbl from 12:30pm.
MATCH UPDATES
Final teams are in for Hawks-Lions at Marvel Stadium! There are no late changes, with Luke Breust (HAW) and Harry Sharp (BL) named the starting subs.
In his Brisbane Lions debut, Brandon Ryan booted his first goal with his first kick against his former club!
Jack Gunston — the corresponding cog in Ryan’s trade to Brisbane — then kicked Hawthorn’s first major of the afternoon with a trademark snap.
Cam Mackenzie kicked the Hawks’ second goal from long range. Hawthorn is gaining the ascendency after a fast Brisbane start, now leading the inside-50 count 9-7.
Two more goals from Jack Ginnivan and Will Day suddenly opened a 17-point lead for the Hawks! They led by 18 points at quarter-time.
Logan Morris kicked a much-needed goal for the Lions early into the second quarter. 12-point game.
However, the Hawks responded by booting three consecutive goals — one to Dylan Moore and a pair to Mabior Chol — to open a game-high 30-point lead!
Calsher Dear slammed home another and it’s now 35 points the difference!
“Brisbane are probably lucky to be this close,” Lions great Alastair Lynch told the Fox Footy broadcast.
But then the Lions made their move, scoring back-to-back goals to reduce the deficit back to 18 points.
Their elite pressure rating of 244 in period has suffocated Hawthorn, as Chris Fagan’s men get some momentum going back their way.
The Hawks took a 24-point lead into the main change.
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Source Agencies
