The Brisbane Lions have consolidated second place on the NEAFL ladder proving too strong for Sydney University in a 65-point victory at Blacktown on Saturday.

The Lions kept Sydney Uni goalless in the opening term, controlling the contest for the majority of the afternoon in a 21.6 (132) to 10.7 (67) win.

In what started out as a slow quarter for the Students (Sydney Uni), the Lions came out with a roar and were hungry to win, claiming most of the contested balls and possession inside their forward 50.

It was not until the 15th minute of the second quarter when Jacob Derickx booted Sydney University’s first major, giving his side a boost of confidence.

Elite runner, Jack Hiscox, showed off his running capability when he found an open gap, took four bounces down the wing and booted the second major for his team.

Momentum seemed to develop, and within minutes Damien Bonney had found another open gap kicking the Students third in a row to bring them within 23 points of the Lions.

However, Brisbane were quick to bite back, increasing their pressure and defence to bring their lead up by 42 points at half-time.

After four goals each in the third, the Lions were able to finish the match strongly with seven goals to one in the last.

Brisbane Lions NEAFL Coach Mitch Hahn was rapt with how his side played against the Students, opening up a crucial four-point gap in second place.

“We knew that it would be a really tough challenge, but the way that our guys went about it for the full four quarters was fantastic, especially in the last quarter when we had one rotation,” Hahn said.

“I think there was a patch there in the third quarter where Sydney Uni really got on top of us and they were able to win the contested ball, but fortunately for us they weren’t able to put it on the score board.”

Any confidence that was built for the Students was soon crushed when Tom Young and Lewis Stevenson didn’t return to play for the second half, with Stevenson running from field in which looked to be a dislocated shoulder.

Zac O’Brien was outstanding for the Students in the duo’s absence from the midfield, collecting 26 disposals and a goal, while Nathan Cooper proved his value when moved up forward with two majors.

Sydney University Assistant Coach Lloyd Perris believed his team was right up there with the Lions, but failed to hit the scoreboard.

“We thought we were matching the Lions for inside 50s and the disappointing thing is that we were struggling to convert that on the scoreboard, we actually thought we were right in the game… but the gap was too much,” Perris said.

Perris believes that it is all about giving a four quarter performance, something his side failed to do today.

“Next week we want to be really ruthless and finish our goals and celebrate - the four quarters is going to be the biggest thing for us,” Perris said.

Ben Keays was prolific through the Lions’ midfield and forward line, collecting 34 disposals and booting four goals.

Ruckman Oscar McInerney was sensational with 49 hit-outs, 13 to advantage and eight clearances while Jacob Allison (30 disposals, one goal) and Corey Lyons (28 disposals, one goal) also contributed.

Ultimately, the Lions proved how resilient they could be across all four quarters and dominated the field to take the win.

Next week the Lions play Aspley at Graham Road and Sydney University return to Blacktown to face the Canberra Demons.

Sydney University v Brisbane Lions at BISP

BRISBANE 4.0 10.3 14.4 21.6 (132)
SYDNEY UNI 0.1 3.3 7.7 10.7 (67)

GOALS – Brisbane: B Keays 4 M Close 3 M Hammelmann 3 L Dawson 3 J Clayton 2 J Schache 2 J Allison O McInerney C Hanley C Lyons. Sydney University: J Hiscox 2 N Cooper 2 J Potter Z O’Brien J Derickx D Bonney C McFadden R Hebron.

BEST – Brisbane: B Keays O McInerney J Allison J Jansen J Frost C Lyons. Sydney University: Z O’Brien W Sierakowski J Hiscox M Rawlinson N Cooper.