Held aloft by Trent West and Archie Smith, Brent Staker was chaired off a winner for the last time as a Lions player, as the Lions Reserves (15.7.87) recorded their second win of the season over a wasteful Redland (12.18.90) to avoid the NEAFL wooden spoon.

The Lions had just six listed players and relied on a mixture of pace and the Bombers’ inaccuracy in front of goal to scrape across the line on an overcast Saturday afternoon at Tidbold Park.

Redland ran onto the field wearing special jumpers supporting Cam’s Cause, honouring Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG, a Special Forces soldier killed in action in Afghanistan last year and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

The match was preceded by the last post and a minute’s silence.

A brilliant string of run and handball off halfback between youngsters Jack Rolls, Corey Wagner and Nick Weller launched the Lions into action in the first few minutes of a brutally physical first quarter.

The Lions held the lead ascendency early despite Redland dominating field position, before a glut of free kicks and a fantastic running goal to Josh Smith put the Bombers in front at the break.

The second quarter opened with a 50m penalty and subsequent goal to Redland’s Andrew Smith, before Weller showed blistering pace down the left wing to take two bounces and set up Daniel Daye for the reply.

Josh Smith popped up again with a 55m bomb which saw the lead change hands once again, quickly snatched back by Mitch Golby just prior to the half time break.

But it was the Lions’ six goal third term which set up the victory, including a strong mark and goal from Brent Staker, a highlight typical of his 160-game AFL career.

Redland’s Jackson Starcevich had the opportunity to reign the Lions’ lead back to less than three goals after the three quarter time siren, but was only able to conjure a costly miss.

The Bombers came out of the blocks all guns blazing in the last quarter, and it was the honour of former Lion Sam Michael to put Redland ahead of his former team with mere minutes to play.

But an outstanding intercept mark in the Lions forward 50m by Academy player Ollie Ritchie and a snap finish by Zac O’Brien put the Lions back on top.

The Lions held their nerve and a goal from Rohan Bewick iced the game for Brisbane, running out 7-point winners.

Bewick was emphatic, notching up 31 disposals, 11 marks and 3 goals in a clear best on ground performance.

He was supported by strong performances from O’Brien (30 disposals), Golby (28 disposals) and a terrific last hurrah from Brent Staker (18 disposals, 9 tackles, 1 goal).

Academy prospect Ben Keays once again showed his poise and class against bigger bodies, notching up 21 disposals and a tenacious tackle which produced a holding the ball decision in the forward 50m, which he coolly converted.

Redland’s went into Round 21 with a mathematical chance of making the finals, however a thumping win to Southport over Eastlake on Saturday morning effectively scuppered the Bombers’ chances before a ball was kicked.

REDLAND              3.7           5.11        8.14        12.18 (90)
NEAFL LIONS       4.0           7.3           13.4        15.7 (97)

GOALS
Redland: Bain 2, J Smith 2, Rogerson, A Smith, Rayner, Hunkin, Godfrey, Thomson, Michael, Buzza.
LIONS: Bewick 3, West 2, Harding 2, Golby 2, Daye, Weller, Keays, Chol, O’Brien, Staker.

BEST
Redland: J Smith, Steven, Thomson, Salter, Michael, Rogerson.
LIONS: Bewick, Golby, O’Brien, Wagner, Keays, Staker.

Tidbold Park, Victoria Point.