Unlike three weeks ago, when nine listed players and a contingent of hungry top-up players stunned Broadbeach, the Lions were no match for a fired-up Labrador.
Celebrating dashing midfielder-forward Mat Clarke’s 100th game, the Tigers exposing the Lions’ weaknesses early and then rammed on nine goals in the final term to win 26.16 (172) to 9.4 (58).
There is a massive gap between Labrador’s best and their worst, but their positive side is always pretty to watch and they were extra impressive against the Lions.
It was a memorable afternoon for Clarke, who has been at Tigerland since the under 8s. He used his speed to advantage and was effective with his use of the ball, capping a dynamic game with four goals.
The Tigers had threats all over the ground and the spread of 13 goalkickers would have been pleasing for coach Jarrod Field, whose side have a big home game against Southport next weekend.
In contrast, too much was left to too few in the Lions camp.
Matt Austin worked hard in a number of roles, and Jack Redden continued to have a presence through the midfield.
Neat left-footer Daniel Dzufer found plenty of the ball and tried his best to get some rebound going, but weight of numbers proved overwhelming.
Tom Collier, Joel Tippett and Bradd Dalziell - who played his first match in two months - battled manfully against the odds.
Labrador’s running brigade were all good, with James Slattery, Curtis Allen, Todd Featherstone and Scott Trembath winning a huge amount of ball.
The Lions gave plenty of cheek early and their accuracy in front of goal ensured they were just 16 points behind at the first change.
However, the Tigers lifted a cog in the second and made the most of their opportunities, moving out to a 37-point break at halftime.
It was always going to be academic from there, with the young bodies of the Lions top-up players no match for the hardened Tigers.
The win took the Tigers to a 4-5 record, although they remain two games out of the top five.
The Lions dropped to fifth place with a 6-4 record and have a bye this weekend.
They played their Round 10 match over Easter when the remainder of the competition had a week off, so Mt Gravatt could draw level with them by Saturday night, although the Lions have a far superior percentage.
SCOREBOARD:
Labrador 5.4 11.6 17.8 26.16 (172)
Brisbane Lions 3.0 5.1 7.1 9.4 (58)
GOALS - Labrador: Clarke 4, Vigus 3, Alleway 3, Sleeth 3, Allen 2, Bath 2, Featherstone 2, Retzlaff 2, Cooke, Howard, Licht, Trembath, Reilly. Brisbane Lions: Banfield 2, Dzufer 2, Redden 2, Sinclair, Austin, Scale.
BEST - Labrador: Clarke, Slattery, Featherstone, Allen, Reilly, Trembath. Brisbane Lions: Austin, Redden, Dzufer, Collier, Tippett, Dalziell.
