Top Naija News: Nigerian News, Breaking News Nigeria and World News Top Naija News is a daily news publication in Nigeria, delivering the latest breaking news in Nigeria and around the world.
Alarm bells are ringing in the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood camps after horror starts to their 2024 campaign, with AFL legend Leigh Matthews concerned for their finals hopes.
Last year’s grand finalists have begun their seasons 0-2 after Brisbane’s one-point loss to Carlton in Opening Round, then a 23-point loss at the hands of Fremantle in round one. The Magpies have lost to both Sydney clubs.
Matthews believes that the Lions, who lost last year’s grand final to Collingwood by just four points, will still make the top eight, but worsen their chances copping early season losses like these two.
READ MORE: Cleary’s cheeky Fowler admission after tough start
READ MORE: ‘Remarkable’ five-year plan to fix glaring Storm failure
READ MORE: Benji slams coaching critics ahead of Tigers opener
“To finish top two, and they want to finish top two, you can only lose five to six games,” Matthews said on Nine’s Footy Furnace on Sunday night.
“A really slim margin for error for both Collingwood and Brisbane from now on.”
The Lions went down to Fremantle at Optus Stadium, with young Dockers midfielder Caleb Serong amassing a whopping 46 disposals.
Brisbane looked completely flat without dual Brownlow medallist and star midfielder Lachie Neale, who was sidelined with a low grade hamstring strain sustained in opening round.
Who is the best big man in the game? The top 10 ruckmen who will stamp their authority on 2024
There is always talk about a premiership hangover, but never much on how last year’s runners up fare the following season after such a traumatising loss in the biggest game of each year.
Matthews says the fears are real that Brisbane could miss the top four, considering the “slim margin” between wins and losses to qualify come the end of the home-and-away season.
“That’s a really unusual start to the season (going 0-2),” Matthews said.
“If you want to be top two, you’ve got to win 15 or 16 games and can only lose four or five.”
Collingwood and Brisbane, as last year’s grand final teams, are the first sides in recent history to both begin their 2024 campaigns 0-2.
Brisbane will now take an early bye, returning in round three to face Collingwood in a grand final rematch at the Gabba.
