The Lions reserves have returned to the NEAFL winners list at the expense of the Labrador Tigers, running out comprehensive 20.14.134 to 5.5.35 victors. A fast start established a lead that was never to be threatened as the Lions rediscovered the form that has made them one of the teams to beat this season.
Brisbane battled potential bye week cobwebs and a stiff breeze against them in the first, but were undeterred as they piled on nine unanswered goals. Billy Longer was dominant in the ruck, frequently providing first use to the likes of Patrick Karnezis and Jack Crisp. The goals were spread and the workload shared, as fanatical pressure and spread proved too much for Labrador to handle.
It took only seconds for Sam Michael to increase the buffer in the second, although it proved to be a far closer quarter. The Lions failed to take full advantage of their midfield ascendancy, and their delivery inside fifty slipped. Still, thanks largely to Josh Green and a classy Callum Bartlett goal, Brisbane extended their lead to 70 points at the main break.
An improved Labrador performance and some Lions’ inaccuracy in front of goal saw Brisbane extend their lead by only five points in a low scoring third quarter. A weary Labrador eventually relented though, allowing the Lions a flurry of late goals in the last and a comprehensive 99 point win. Green was effective on the ball and up forward, finishing with 31 disposals and five goals, while Karnezis was tireless for his 38 possessions. Promisingly both Crisp and Nick Hayes were prominent in the midfield for the Lions until the final siren, finishing with 27 and 33 disposals respectively.
Coach Leigh Harding praised his side’s early endeavour, and was delighted to see an immediate response to their round 11 loss to the Suns.
“I think we brought a really good standard of football. We did the things we wanted to do, and I guess the scoreboard looks after itself from there.”
Important defensive pair Matt McGuire and Patrick Weardon both made successful returns from injury in this match, and the valuable experience these two provided was not lost on Harding.
“To have two more experienced guys across our backline just gives us some surety back there, and it was a positive step for them going forward.”
Lions: 9.3 13.6 14.16 20.14.134
Labrador: 0.2 2.2 3.4 5.5.35
Goals
Lions: S. Michael 4, J. Green 3, C. Bartlett 3, J. Crisp 2, P. Karnezis 2, M. Close , A. Cornelius , L. Dawson , C. Tickner , N. Hayes , J. O''Brien
Labrador: R. White , B. Boyle , J. Goldsmith , R. Davey , A. Clarke
Best
Lions: J. Green, S. Michael, P. Karnezis, M. Close, N. Hayes
Labrador: J. Stephenson, A. Watts, A. Clarke, M. Clarke, T. Grayson, R. White
