RICHO’S TOP 10: Brisbane Lions couldn’t pull off a three-peat, could they? 

Matthew Richardson covers Brisbane’s three-peat being back on the cards, Lachie Neale’s next home and the ‘key position’ player who could win the Brownlow in 2026 in his top 10.

1. What is the most pressure situation in sport?

A goal after the siren to win an AFL grand final, free throws to win an NBA championship, a kicker to win a Super Bowl from 50+ yards in overtime or taking a penalty in sudden death stages of a World Cup final?

To me, it’s not even close. A penalty to win a World Cup by a country mile.

The entire world is watching and the happiness of football-loving countries depend on it. The tension is unbearable.

If you don’t agree with me, ask Italian Roberto Baggio. Get on YouTube and watch his penalty at the 1994 World Cup final. Ouch

2. The Brownlow has been a midfielders award for far too long.

I’m a paid-up member of the cheer squad for a key position player to finally win it again. By key position, I include the ruckman. It’s time and I think 2026 could be the year. The Dockers’ unicorn Luke Jackson can do it.

He plays like a traditional mid for one anyway with his ground level play. He kicks goals and Freo at a minimum will get 20x3 votes. Surely he will be just about their best in half those wins. That’s 30 votes.

Yep, I’m all in on Luke. How good would it be? His speech will be priceless.

3. Brisbane couldn’t pull off a three-peat, could they?

The Brisbane Lions have now won four in a row. The last two against Sydney at the Gabba and Geelong in Geelong. Quality opposition.

That broke a 10-game winning streak by the Cats at home. In both games, they scored over 120 points. They can score as quickly as any team in recent memory. Five-six goal bursts in no time.

It’s got a bit of 2024 about it. At the same stage of that year, the Lions were seventh on 38 points. They won the flag from fifth. They clearly know how to time their run home.

As it sits right now, they are my No.2 seed behind Fremantle and I actually think their best footy is still the best. A three-peat is well and truly on the cards now. They have Essendon, West Coast and Port Adelaide over the next three weeks. The Lions are coming.

4. We love a good old fine wine in this column and this week’s drop is the incredible Patrick Dangerfield.

Danger kept his team in it last week against the Lions with five goals. It was his first handful since 2017 and the fifth time in his career he’s kicked five goals.

It may not be the last time either, as he is now playing mostly as a forward and still has his incredible pace and burst. He can play next year and beyond. Barring injury, he will be the next 400-gamer in 2027. What a freak superstar athlete he is.

5. Lachie Neale it appears has a decision to make.

He’s in demand as an unrestricted free agent and putting his toe in the water.

Ross the Boss wants to reunite with him at St Kilda. The Bombers are keen now and Collingwood have been into Lachie for a while.

Not sure Saints would have the cash left and the Bombers a while off success and stability, so to me it’s an absolute no brainer to hook up with a proven successful club coach and system at the Pies.

Oh and join Nick Daicos in a formidable midfield duo. With Lachie just maybe the Pies could keep their window slightly ajar.

6. This week’s match of the round for mine is Carlton and Hawthorn on Saturday at the MCG.

The Blues have now won seven in a row, their best streak since 2023. Five of the wins were against teams below them on the ladder but a top-four scalp will frank their incredible turnaround in this season.

It will also consolidate their chance of a wildcard spot. Sam Mitchell would be seething after the Hawks’ loss to Melbourne in Launceston. Particularly the first half, where Melbourne had their second-biggest first half lead in history.

Hawthorn need to respond around the contest. This is a team that normally responds after a poor performance. Bring it on.

7. Let’s be honest, the VAR and ball tracking technology is pretty damn amazing at the the World Cup.

Deadly accurate and hard to argue with. Like it or not it’s getting the ‘right results’. But gee it takes out some of the rigorous post-game debate out of it, whether the decisions were right or wrong.

In the past, these debates and controversies could be debated for weeks, months and years. Case in point, Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ v England at the 1986 World Cup. But now it’s hard to argue because it does get the right decisions.

Technical? Yes, but to the letter of the laws as written, right. I think I like the old days are better. The arguments were more fun post-game.

8. This has nothing to do with football but...

How’s the state of Victoria going when can walk into a Liquorland store and grab a six pack of Guinness walk out with it, steal it with zero consequences? That’s what I witnessed last week.

I was the only other person in the store. The employees are instructed to report it to police and not approach. Fair enough, you don’t want to put yourself in danger for a six pack. I then walk out of the outlet and the group of people are drinking the stolen beverages 25 metres away in the carport like nothing’s happened. The police station is 150 metres away.

These offenders had no fear of consequences. Absolute madness. They clearly do it regularly.

9. The Saints must sign Darcy Wilson ASAP.

Darcy is putting together a very, very good season and has now played 56 games.

His development has been sharp this season. He is exactly the player that is critical to ball movement. He has explosive pace and uses the ball well. He is also kicking a goal a game.

Saints fans will be filthy if he isn’t locked in. You can’t lose a player that you drafted in the first round three years ago. Lets hope St Kilda have saved some money from last year’s spending spree. Just about every club in the competition would be in his ear.

10. To tag or not to tag?

The question comes up after most games when players like Nick Daicos and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera run riot.

Nas has had 90 touches in his past two games. So in the theory, the answer is yes, you should. The problem is not many teams have a player that is capable of doing the job effectively.

The Swans are one team that has one in James Jordan, who was able to quell Marcus Bontempelli to some extent last Friday night. He can do this most weeks.

If you don’t have a tagger and you try, it can then actually make it harder for you own structure around stoppages. You’re effectively one man down around stoppage and the tagged player can dictate where he stands to benefit his team.

The most effective tagger I’ve seen was Geelong’s Cameron Ling. He could run all day, was big and strong and still won the ball himself. They are hard to find though.