AFL LIVE: Bombers under siege as Lions’ candid whiteboard comments cause a stir

It’s a warm autumn day in Melbourne – and probably one of the last days before winter where the mercury will rise into mid-20s, and Essendon fans have chosen to be indoors at Marvel Stadium and watch their team play like this against Brisbane.

It’s quarter-time and the Lions are up by 29 points.

To say the Bombers did well to limit the damage is testament to how poorly they started when they gave up six goals in 19 minutes.

The Bombers have no answer against the back-to-back premiers.

That was a tough quarter for Essendon fans in the Marvel stands, who honestly did not have much to cheer about.

Chris Fagan’s team only gave up one goal for the first quarter, and booted six of their own for a dominant term.

Logan Morris and former No.1 pick Cam Rayner have been especially prolific in the first term, with Morris converting a contested mark to goal in the final few minutes.

Kai Lohmann had a shot after the siren but only managed a behind.

QT: Lions 6.2 (38) lead the Bombers 1.3 (9)

Photos have emerged of what has been labelled the Brisbane Lions’ private notes on Essendon players, moments before the clash with the Bombers started at Marvel.

Seven reporter Mitch Cleary posted a photo of a whiteboard on Saturday which appears to show private notes about Essendon players’ strengths and weaknesses, with some candid descriptions.

According to Cleary, the photos were shared on the Essendon Supporters Group private Facebook page but have now been removed from social media.

They were alleged to have been posted by someone who was at the Lions’ Brighton Home Arena for an Auskick session.

The Age has not been able to verify the messages.

Bang, bang, bang.

The Lions have now kicked five goals, and it’s looking pretty grim for Essendon, even though it’s only the first quarter.

Zac Bailey doubled up with another goal, followed by Conor McKenna inside 50.

The Bombers’ defence has buckled, and Cameron Rayner capitalised to slot another goal for the visitors.

Score: Lions lead 6.1 (37) to 1.1

Essendon managed to keep the ball in their forward half and capitalise on a free kick opportunity.

Peter Wright converted to put the Bombers on the scoreboard,.

That’s the siren and let’s get started at Marvel Stadium.

The reigning premiers pile on the pressure early and Essendon give away a free kick which finds Zac Bailey who slots the opening goal.

Charlie Cameron backs it up with another goal moments later.

Not a great start for the Bombers who are stumbling in defence.

The Lions are missing Oscar Allen this week, but in good news for the reigning premiers Dayne Zorko has returned from a calf injury.

It may not be the first expression that comes to outsiders’ minds when asked to describe one of the AFL’s most exuberant characters.

But Cam Rayner expects “level-headed” teammate Sam Draper to be just that today as the Lions take on Essendon.

It will be Draper’s first meeting with the Bombers since defecting to the reigning back-to-back premiers as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season.

“He’s very similar to Joey [Daniher], very level-headed,” Rayner said.