Despite a strong start, the Brisbane Lions Reserves have fallen agonisingly short of claiming their first win of the 2016 NEAFL season against the Sydney University going down 17.2 (104) to 17.12 (114) in Sydney this afternoon.

The Lions’ impressive kicking efficiency and their ability to maintain pressure around the ground kept them in the game right until the final siren, however a Sydney University side spearheaded by former AFL player Tom Young were too strong in the end.

The young Lions Reserves were up and about early in the first half and looked well on their way to securing their first win of the 2016 NEAFL season, dominating a clearly startled Sydney University outfit.

Archie Smith saw that the Lions were on top in the centre clearances and hit-outs throughout the first quarter, doing extremely well to give the away side first use of the footy in ruck contests.

Sydney managed some early goals but the Lions kicked into gear late in the first quarter and managed four unanswered goals to go into the break with a lead of 12 points.

Jono Freeman and Eric Hipwood were creating plenty of problems for Sydney Uni in the Lions forward 50, taking advantage of every mistake the home side made and making them pay on the scoreboard.

Reuben William provided plenty of run and carry for the Lions through the midfield and was making his presence felt both inside and outside the contests.

The second term saw the Lions continue where they left off, adding another three rapid goals to their tally before Sydney University could stem the flow with two goals of their own.

The remainder of the second quarter was more of a scrappy affair with genuine pressure being applied from both sides in a classic arm wrestle for control of the match.

Despite being 19 points down at the main break, Sydney University looked a different side in the third quarter, turning it on for the home crowd and producing a huge seven-goal term.

While the Lions kicked two of the first three goals of the quarter, Sydney University went on and kicked five straight to put them ahead for the first time in the match since early in the first term.

Eric Hipwood managed to snag a goal late in the quarter and claw some momentum back the Lions way after a clever kick from Archie Smith resulted in a mark 20 metres out and directly in front.

Brisbane went into the final quarter trailing by eight points and responded well to Coach Shane Woewodin’s messages at the final break.

Despite conceding two early goals in the quarter, the Lions fought well and contained Sydney University’s capability to rebound off half-back and run through the middle.

 Billy Evans was a standout for the Lions and backed himself by kicking two big goals under pressure to get the Lions within one straight kick of the lead with less than five minutes remaining.

Sydney University were resilient until the end however and managed to shut the Lions out with Sydney midfielder Jacob Derickx kicking his 4th goal after the siren to seal the game with the final margin being 10 points.

It wasn’t the best return to footy for Josh Watts after an extended lay-off with a groin injury with the tall defender copping a knock to the head in the first quarter.

Assistant Coach Leigh Harding noted they were managing Watts in his first game back in 9 months and the head knock was nothing serious.

“He got a knock early and it sort of hindered him towards the end of the third quarter so we weren’t going to take any risks with Josh, he’ll pull up fine,” Harding said.

Rhys Mathieson, who was listed as an emergency for the seniors, did not travel with the side to Sydney despite being named on the Reserves team list and will be available for selection alongside Josh Green tonight should there be any late withdrawals for the senior Lions side.

The Lions Reserves will take plenty out of today’s close game and will be drawing on their efforts next game when they take on the GWS Giants next Sunday at Spotless Stadium.

NEAFL LIONS                          5.1       10.1     13.1     17.2 (114)
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY             3.1       6.6       13.9     17.12 (104)

GOALS

Lions: Freeman 4, Hipwood 4, Evans 3, Jansen 2, Smith 2, Gribble, Lambert
Students: Derickx 4, Winmar 3, Manteit 2, Ayton, Day, Wilson, Young, Thompson, Murphy, McCaffrey, Law

BEST

Lions: Evans, Smith,Robertson, Freeman, Hipwood
Students: Young, Winmar, Derickx, Thompson, Murphy


INJURIES

Lions: Josh Watts (head)


Blacktown International Sports Park, Sydney.

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