Brisbane Lions fans, we’ve got some great news! To replace Dan McStay, they’ve brought Oscar McInerney back in for their semi-final tussle against Gold Coast this Saturday night at the Gabba. The collective is intent on recovering from a similar recent thorough loss to Geelong. They had enough troubles in that game to go in without dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, absent with a medial strain.
McInerney’s return is significant, particularly as he partners with Darcy Fort to counter Gold Coast’s formidable ruckman, Jarrod Witts. McInerney has had a torrid year, playing only three matches with the seniors since Round 9 through injury. His final match was a Round 20 defeat to Gold Coast. This semi-final now reflects a key opportunity for him to shine.
Along with McInerney, the Lions added Bruce Reville, who spent the last two seasons in their squad and rejoined this year. His consistent play in the reserves has clearly warranted him another look at the senior level. Perhaps the biggest disappointment of this reshuffle comes from this bill’s climate implications. Gold medalist Sam Day omitted highlights the intense battle for spots in this year’s team selection.
The Lions are preparing for a tough match against Gold Coast, who have opted to keep their lineup unchanged ahead of the semi-final. It is their team’s reliability that could prove most problematic to Brisbane. They’re looking to recover from last week’s disappointment.
With Neale out and Day omitted, the Lions are presented with a huge test of their depth and resilience. Their next match, against the Unites States, will be one of the most important moments in their campaign. The team is confident that the return of McInerney and Reville will increase their chances of advancing to the finals.
