A slow start and poor kicking for goal deprived the Reserves of victory against Southport on Saturday afternoon, with Marco Paparone starring in the 13.18 (96) – 9.15 (69) loss.
The strong defensive effort led by Paparone (35 disposals, 14 marks) and Matthew Hammelmann (17 disposals, 10 marks) was undermined by costly skill errors, the Sharks running in 10.14 from Lions turnovers.
Brisbane showed strength at the contest but couldn’t capitalise on their effort, oftentimes the last kick going forward letting them down.
“I just thought we butchered the ball today, in front of goal and around the ground,” said coach Shane Woewodin.
“Dropped a couple of marks, probably our kicking, more so field kicking let us down… the decisions at crucial times of the game where we turned the footy over and they’ve capitalised going back the other way.”
Rhys Mathieson and Billy Evans provided grunt in the midfield with 28 disposals apiece, whilst Redland top-up Jake Warren chipped in with 3 goals.
Paparone’s intercept marking prevented the Sharks from taking a commanding lead, whilst Hammelmann’s spoiling and penetration off the boot was paramount.
“I thought Freeman and Walker worked well in tandem playing out of position… I just thought they competed all day for us as talls,” said Woewodin.
The Lions showed fatigue in the last quarter with just one on the bench.
Draft prospects Jacob Allison (13 disposals, 7 marks and 1 goal) and Jack Rolls (18 disposals) were solid contributors, backing up from their match with the U18 Allies against South Australia last week.
Coach Woewodin was pleased to have them in Lions colours.
“[Allison] is a good size, he used it pretty well. We threw Rollsy around a bit today... They do provide us with a lot of run and energy when they do play for us.”
“We look forward to getting them back when the [U18 Championships] are finished.”
Former AFL listed players in Haydn Kiel (Lions) and Andrew Boston (Suns) were among the Sharks best, whilst small forward Rob Clements was electric with 4 goals.
The Lions Reserves will next week take on Redland on Saturday at the Gabba as a curtain closer for the seniors match against West Coast.
SOUTHPORT 4.6 6.12 9.15 13.18 (96)
LIONS 1.3 3.9 6.12 9.15 (69)
GOALS
Southport: Clements 4, Kiel 2, Wilson, Thurlow, Holland, Franks, Saad, Screech, Filewood
Lions: Warren 3, Hipwood 2, Close, Allison, Freeman, Walker
BEST
Southport: Clements, Boston, Kiel, Grayson, Keras, Holland
Lions: Paparone, Mathieson, Evans, Hammelmann, Clayton, Walker
Fankhauser Reserve, Southport
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