Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says the Lions have \u201cplans\u201d to nullify Nick Daicos on Thursday night, but they may not include tagging the Collingwood dangerman.<\/p>\n
In Collingwood\u2019s three games this season, midfield star Daicos has accumulated disposal tallies of 41, 33 and 36.<\/p>\n
He also averages more than 30 possessions a game against the Lions and will need to be stopped if the back-to-back premiers are to beat the Magpies at the Gabba.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a good player,\u201d Fagan said on Wednesday when asked about a potential tag on Daicos.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve talked a little bit about him this week, but there are a lot of other good Collingwood players as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are plans, but I\u2019m not sure which ones we\u2019ll go with yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fagan raised the possibility of not placing the likes of Josh Dunkley and Jarrod Berry on Daicos to instead put faith in his own group of star on-ballers to dictate the terms of the contest, even without injured All-Australian star Hugh McCluggage, who remains sidelined with a calf problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also think we\u2019ve got a pretty good midfield ourselves, so we might back ourselves in,\u201d the Lions mentor said.<\/p>\n
Brisbane\u2019s defensive stocks aren\u2019t as strong due to the absence of suspended co-captain Harris Andrews and injured pair Darcy Gardiner (shoulder) and Noah Answerth (concussion).<\/p>\n
Fagan said the versatile Keidean Coleman would likely revert to the backline after being used mainly in the forwards in Brisbane\u2019s 33-point win over St Kilda last Saturday at Marvel Stadium.<\/p>\n
Premiership-winning forward Ty Gallop will also be used in defence again after deputising there against the Saints.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought he played pretty well down there last week for his first go at it,\u201d Fagan said of Gallop.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a natural competitor. That\u2019s a big plus and a good starting point if you want to play down in defence, and for his overall football development, it\u2019s a good thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll no doubt be down there again (against Collingwood).\u201d<\/p>\n
Fagan said the Lions would be \u201cinnovative\u201d in covering for their defensive losses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have to defend well together as a team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just on those back seven players, it\u2019s on everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fagan said the Lions remained confident about securing back-to-back wins despite their injuries in defence.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur midfield\u2019s still strong, our forward line\u2019s still strong, so we\u2019re still putting a good team out on the field,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe very optimistic about our chances (on Thursday) night.\u201d<\/p>\n