Brisbane smash Carlton in the final quarter to win NAB Cup.
Lions coach Michael Voss and AFL chief Andrew Demetriou after Brisbane's super impressive win in the NAB Cup grand final. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Brisbane Lions midfielder Dayne Zorko celebrates a goal. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: Herald Sun
AS A player, Michael Voss expected perfection, personally and from teammates.
As a coach, it's taken time for that same stamp to be noticable - but make no mistake, signs are becoming evident.
From the Brisbane coach's viewpoint, a disturbingly large gap between old and new Lions still exists.
But when it works, look out.
The Lions won the NAB Cup by 40 points last night on the back of two stellar periods of football that, in simple terms, Carlton couldn't match.
The Blues, who themselves had some exciting patches, wouldn't be troubled long-term with their rivals seemingly more advanced in their unbeaten pre-season preparation.
But these understated Lions have pieces of the next top-flight puzzle coming together.
The arrival of Stefan Martin combined with the bigger and fitter presence of Aaron Cornelius not only gives Brisbane's forward line more structure, it permits Daniel Merrett to stay at home in the key defensive post.
In turn, Matt Maguire and Joel Patfull are shuffled down the defensive totem pole, with Jed Adcock and the ultra-impressive Pearce Hanley free to swoop on more balls brought to ground.
NAB cup grand final. Carlton v Brisbane @ Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.Lions Jonathan Brown goes for a mark against Jamison Picture: Tauber Andrew Source: Herald Sun
But it's when the next phase of play across half-back links up with Daniel Rich and Dayne Zorko that these Lions become killers.
Time and again last night, the Lions swept the ball the length of the ground with July-like precision.
Jonathan Brown (five goals) and Patrick Karnezis (21 disposals, one goal before being subbed at the final change) are the principal targets on the rampage, but Josh Green (three goals) has that Cyril Rioli-like capacity to alter games with minimal possessions whether off his own boot or setting up others.
There were times last night, whether through increased intensity or Brisbane lapses, when the Blues impressed.
Kane Lucas and Kade Simpson were running standouts, while Mitch Robinson appeared the Blues' barometer with his typically bullocking style augmented by some incisive forward forays.
But with Chris Judd underdone and the influence of new skipper Marc Murphy limited, the Lions midfield held sway.
NAB Cup,Grand Final,Carlton v Brisbane,Chris Judd tackled by Brent Moloney, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: Herald Sun
They shot the reluctant visitors out of the gate to a 27-point lead 23 minutes into the first term, before two of those lapses Voss must eradicate to make them a top team cost them two supergoals on wraparound plays for Bryce Gibbs and Zach Tuohy either side of quarter-time.
The Blues edged out to a 13-point lead at the long break, but when the Lions rebooted the game plan - particularly across half-back - the Blues were blown away.
At halftime, Carlton had managed 14 scoring shots to 12.
By game's end, the Blues had managed just six more compared to Brisbane's 17.
Hanley, the Irishman whose knowledge of the game's finer points continues to both advance and amaze, was brilliant across half-back.
He and co-captain Adcock are a lethal springboard combination against whom opposition coaches must guard.
Because when they look further afield now, it's not just Jack Redden and Tom Rockliff, it's Rohan Bewick, Brent Moloney and the destructive Zorko and Rich who help diffuse attention from Brown.
NAB cup grand final. Carlton v Brisbane @ Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.A jubilant Lions after the win Picture: Tauber Andrew Source: Herald Sun
Carlton will be better for the run.
It shouldn't be forgotten that the Blues are still building and were far from rampant victors in their early NAB Cup rounds.
Bryce Gibbs showed flashes of the impact he will have in the midfield this year, while Michael Jamison already looks fitter than in recent seasons at full-back.
Make no mistake, though, this won't be the last time the Lions salute in big games this year.
It's folly to suggest a NAB Cup trophy is a guarantee of something bigger.
But you can see Voss' imprint - and it's impressive.
NAB Cup,Grand Final,Carlton v Brisbane,Stefan Martin tackles Bryce Gibbs, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: Herald Sun
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