Not sure if Paddy has the conventional Lion taming temperament, but it’ll be one hell of a spectacle. Time to Restump Podcast preview Freo's Friday night’s clash against the Brissie Lions.

It’s almost beyond comprehension that we’re starting round 23 in the top four. Thinking back to that infamous and well documented appalling performance against St Kilda in round 8, it was unfathomable at the time to even contemplate making the finals. How far we have come in a short space of time… 11 wins from our last 13 games? Shut your face, I don’t believe you!

We take on the Lions and if we have any chance of remaining in the top four at season’s end, we need to ensure it is a successful safari hunt Friday evening. 

The reigning premiers have chopped up a bit in the last few weeks, losing to the Suns and Swans. Is that a positive or a negative for us? A positive in that they may be a little shaky, but it could well be a negative because they will be filthy and ferocious Friday night. 

Our form is good, maybe not quite as good as 11 wins from 13 games suggests, but good enough to take it right up to Brisbane, so we shouldn’t be fearful going in. But while they’ve only won 2 final quarter in their previous 6 games and despite having been run down after leading at ¾ time three times this year… I’m not sure we should continue leaving our run until the final term.

From our perspective, unfortunately Izzy Dudley is heading back to the twos but we welcome back Corey Wagner for some defensive bulk. For the Lion’s Brandon Starcevich makes his return and similar to Wagner, his defensive pressure will be a positive for them.

Interestingly enough, Brisbane decided against running two recognised ruckmen to go up against Darcy and Jackson. Surely, we can run Darcy Fort into the ground?

While it’s an advantage for us that Lachie Neale isn’t playing, it would have been fitting for him to be out there against the great Nat Fyfe, maybe for one last time? Brisbane have us and the Hawks to come, it’s not outside the realms of possibility that they miss the eight! 

But right now, nostalgia takes a back seat and sentiment sits on the side-lines because there is serious business to get done. We really want to concentrate on Friday night and we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves… but if we beat the Lions this week, the Dogs next week and the Crows can beat the Pies on Saturday, we’re a serious chance at hanging onto a top four finish. 

With it being a double header and Fremantle being the later game, it’s the Friday night semi-big stage. So, it should at least halve any possible big stage fright… shouldn’t it? However, be that as it may, the overriding problem for us fans is that we can’t help the early onset of anxiety!

But a problem shared is a problem halved! So, if your nerves are starting to rumble as well, then pitch in and join the pre-game group calming therapy on the preview pod. Preparing a plan B is always prudent… so, maybe bring some Valium with you just in case.

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