The NEAFL Brisbane Lions have won their first game of the 2016 season in emphatic fashion, convincingly defeating the Gold Coast Suns Reserves by 112 points.
In an AFL curtain-closer, under the lights of the Gabba, the Lions were clinical, quick and dominant throughout the entire duration of the match, against an injury depleted Suns outfit.
Josh Green kicked off the match with a bang, roving an Archie Smith hit out and running in to kick a goal from 40 metres out within the first 24 seconds of the game.
The Lions Reserves showed their prowess in the opening term, kicking five goals, to the Suns two, and they never looked back.
Relentless pressure and clean foot skills resulted in the Lions scoring five unanswered goals in the second quarter, pushing the margin out to 47 points at the main break.
The rampaging Lions piled on another four goals in the third from clever ball use, insistent tackling and clean run and carry.
It was a field day for the Lions forwards, with Josh Walker, Liam Dawson and Eric Hipwood registering 14 goals between them.
The Reserves went in to the final quarter with a comfortable lead, one that came about by a suberb defensive effort from Marco Paparone, Reuben William and Matthew Hammelmann.
Eight unanswered goals in the final term no doubt pleased coach, Shane Woewodin, with the young side refusing to take their foot off the pedal to comprehensively enjoy a well-deserved win.
Stand-in skipper, Josh Green was extremely influential in the midfield, collecting 32 disposals and booting two goals out of the centre of the ground.
Queenslander, Liam Dawson put his hand up for senior selection, kicking five goals, taking 12 marks and gathering 17 disposals.
It was an exciting display from the young Lions side, with the top-up players Sam Gribble and Luca Mason also making a noteworthy impact.
Claye Beams worked hard all over the ground in his return from a groin injury, scoring two goals and collecting 26 touches.
Geelong recruit, Jarrad Jansen continued his impressive form during the last few rounds, accumulating 29 disposals and making four tackles.
The Lions Reserves will look to replicate their winning effort when they travel to Manuka Oval to take on the Canberra Demons on Saturday.
NEAFL BRISBANE LIONS: 5.3 10.6 14.10 22.18 (150)
NEAFL GOLD COAST SUNS: 2.3 2.7 5.8 5.8 (38)
GOALS
Lions: Walker 5, Dawson 5, Hipwood 4, Beams 2, Clayton 2, Green 2, Cormick, Copland
Suns: Loersch 2, Kempe, Waters, Kaufman
BEST
Lions: Dawson, Beams, Jansen, Green, Smith, Paparone, Walker
Suns: Dawson, Loersch, Franks, Crossley
The Gabba, Brisbane
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