THE BRISBANE Lions have exacted revenge on Gold Coast with a 62-point win in the second QClash at the Gabba on Saturday night.
the Lions established a 22-point lead in a free-flowing first quarter and never looked back, winning 18.15 (123) to 8.13 (61).
Last quarters have been a problem for the Lions all season, winning a League-low five, but they stormed home and kicked eight goals to four to inflate the final margin.
Simon Black stood head and shoulders above everyone and deservedly won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal.
Black had 31 disposals, a match-high nine clearances, and kicked a superb goal in the final quarter.
It was the Lions' fourth win of the season and moved them one game clear of the Suns and away from the wooden spoon race ahead of a tough finish that includes matches against Collingwood (MCG), West Coast (Gabba) and Sydney Swans (SCG).
It also reversed the result in the inaugural QClash, won by the Suns by eight points in round three.
For the 23,565 spectators it was a frustrating night with both teams consistently missing targets, missing goals and making poor decisions.
But the Lions' desperation was obvious from the first quarter when Todd Banfield - who had a horrible night in front of goal, kicking 2.5 - ran 15m to smother a Trent McKenzie missile that was aimed at goal.
The Lions were harder at the contest and first to the ball, easily winning the clearance count 50-28.
Black's clearance work was supported by ruckman Matthew Leuenberger (seven), Tom Rockliff (seven) and James Polkinghorne (seven).
The Suns looked flat after recent matches against Collingwood, St Kilda and Geelong and were a step behind their usual energetic selves.
However, skipper Gary Ablett showed no ill-effects from the hamstring injury that kept him out of last week's loss to the Cats, collecting 28 disposals, while deputy Nathan Bock again starred with 27 touches while keeping opponents Mitch Clark and Aaron Cornelius goalless.
Influential players
Black won the Ashcroft Medal but Leuenberger was not far behind. The 23-year-old ruckman was dominant in the middle of the ground, racking up 19 disposals, 42 hit-outs, seven clearances and adding two final quarter goals in a tremendous effort. Ever-improving midfielder Jack Redden was at his best with the game in the balance, tallying 17 of his 27 touches in the first half and helping the Lions gain midfield ascendency.
What it means
The Lions finally earned some reward for effort after a difficult season. They are now two games clear of Port Adelaide at the bottom of the table but more importantly coach Michael Voss saw his young team continue to develop. Leuenberger, Rockliff, Redden, Hanley and Polkinghorne are all 23 and under and were big contributors in the win. They have the ultimate test against Collingwood next week.
Dream Team highlight
Brisbane Lions: Leuenberger had 140 Dream Team points while Jack Redden (121) and Tom Rockliff (112) also scored triple figures. Marcus Ashcroft medallist Simon Black had 97 points.
Welcome back
After an injury-interrupted season, Josh Drummond made a welcome return for the Lions. Quad and knee injuries have restricted him to just four matches this season, but his return was full of class. He had 15 disposals, and most of his 13 kicks were laser-like in their precision. Drummond gave the back half an assuredness that has been missing for some time.
Stats that mattered
After being smashed 60-30 in the clearances when they met in round seven, the Lions reversed the trend on Saturday night. They won the count 50-28 and took full advantage of a hit-out tally that read 53-26. The Suns were terrible by foot, with 57 ineffective kicks from their total of 196.
QUARTER BY QUARTER
FIRST QUARTER
The second QClash started the Lions' way with the home team having all the forward 50 entries in the first quarter. Brent Staker kicked the Lions' first goal in the third minute and Andrew Raines capitalised on some good ball movement inside the Lions' 50 to kick the second. The Suns struggled to move the ball forward and the Lions had another two, through Todd Banfield and Jed Adcock, before Gold Coast kicked its first and only goal of the quarter, courtesy of Danny Stanley. James Polkinghorne soccered one more goal for the Lions close to quarter-time.
Brisbane Lions 5.2 (32) Gold Coast 1.4 (10)
SECOND QUARTER
The Suns needed a good start to stay in touch with the Lions and they got it through midfielders Gary Ablett and Matt Shaw. Ablett kicked a brilliant crumbing goal to start the quarter, while Matt Shaw was the recipient of a pin-point accurate pass from David Swallow for the Suns' second. Staker kicked his second for the Lions not long after and then found Mitch Clark on his own to bring the margin back out to 22. That goal, in the fourteenth minute, would be the last for the quarter.
Brisbane Lions 7.5 (47) Gold Coast 3.6 (24)
THIRD QUARTER
The teams traded goals early in the third quarter, however the Lions, through Mitch Clark and Pearce Hanley, tightened their grip on the second QClash Cup. Clark's goal was particularly impressive, the forward riding the shoulders of his opponent for a classic 'speccie' before bending it home from close range. The Lions had several opportunities to extend the margin, but Banfield, Tom Rockliff, and Matthew Leuenberger were among those who missed shots at goal for the home side.
Brisbane Lions 10.11 (71) Gold Coast 4.9 (33)
FOURTH QUARTER
The Suns opened the quarter with a goal to Harley Bennell but the Lions put their stamp on a strong win with a booming 55m goal to Leuenberger and another to Simon Black not long after. Leuenberger's second goal for the quarter made the margin 50 points and the Lions started dominating, with goals to Banfield, Cheynee Stiller and substitute Patrick Karnezis following. Josh Fraser and Michael Rischitelli kicked goals late in the quarter before Sam Sheldon booted one back. Polkinghorne had the last word for the Lions with a goal on the siren to make it a 62-point win. Black (31 possessions) was named the Marcus Ashcroft medallist for best on ground.
Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) Gold Coast 8.13 (61)
The next three
Brisbane Lions: Collingwood (MCG); West Coast (Gabba); Sydney Swans (SCG)
MATCH DETAILS
Brisbane Lions 5.2 7.5 10.11 18.15 (123)
Gold Coast 1.4 3.6 4.9 8.13 (61)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Staker 2, Clark 2, Polkinghorne 2, Sheldon 2, Banfield 2, Leuenberger 2, Black, Raines, Adcock, Hanley, Stiller, Karnezis
Gold Coast: Rischitelli 2, Shaw 2, Ablett, Fraser, Stanley, Bennell
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Black, Redden, Leuenberger, Staker, Rockliff, Drummond
Gold Coast: Bock, Ablett, McKenzie, Brennan, Iles
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: nil
Gold Coast: nil
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Aaron Cornelius replaced by Pat Karnezis at three-quarter time
Gold Coast: Charlie Dixon replaced by Dion Prestia in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Ryan, Wenn
Official crowd: 23,565 at the Gabba
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the club
