“Had enough, too hard, not interested any more in playing for each other,” Roos said.
“I’ve been through this as a coach. [Chris Fagan] would be really worried. Really, really, worried. Lazy on defence, their two brilliant forwards aren’t buying in any more.
The Giants’ Josh Kelly competes with Lions forward Charlie Cameron for the ball in their Anzac Day clash.Credit: AFL Photos
“This is about what decision these Brisbane Lions players want to make. Do they still want to play for each other? Do they still want to win a premiership? It’s hard work, but what I’m seeing from some of their star players or some of their so-called star players is garbage, it’s absolute garbage.”
Roos was quick to defend Fagan and said it was still possible for the Lions to achieve something this year, comparing the situation to the one he faced in 2005 when he coached Sydney.
Loading
The Swans slumped to a 2-4 record when they were belted by West Coast at Subiaco, but lost only four more games on their way to a historic premiership later that year.
Roos singled out senior Lions Charlie Cameron and Joe Daniher when venting his disappointment.
“Their efforts defensively are terrible,” he said.
“The reason they’re going into the forward line so often and getting so little result is because they don’t tackle in the forward line, they don’t chase. This is a problem that the Giants used to have, they used to have so much talent but no real system and structure. They can turn it around … but some of Joe’s efforts were borderline embarrassing.
Loading
“Is Joe a five- or six-goal forward against really poor teams and then one or two against really good teams? If that’s the case, then you have to put structures around him.”
While Roos placed more responsibility at the feet of players, others have been quick to point out the coach’s inability to identify the problem, highlighted in Fagan’s post-match press conference last week when he was unable to explain what went wrong.
Footy Classified panellist and The Age columnist Kane Cornes stated on Classified that it was Fagan’s job to know what the problem was. But triple-premiership Brisbane Lions coach and club director Leigh Matthews scoffed at that.
“I kind of just shake my head,” a frustrated Matthews said on 3AW.
“People who are talking about coaching, let alone coaches’ press conferences, who have never actually been the victim of one of those press conferences before.
“Any coach worth his salt will look at the replay before firming his own thinking. Then you decide what to go to your players with.
“The post game is basically feeding the chooks.
“If any coach is astute enough to know exactly what he’s going to say to his players the next day or two, exactly what he’s going to do in the review process, it’s too early post-game.”
Loading
The Lions’ next attempt to revive their season comes on Sunday in a do-or-die match against crosstown rivals Gold Coast, a game that will be Damien Hardwick’s first Q Clash.
Suns star midfielder Noah Anderson said this week that while “hatred” may be too strong a word, there was “genuine dislike” between the two playing groups.
And if it’s a game the Suns win, then genuine pressure will be growing in the Lions’ den.
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
