The Brisbane Lions won a battle of the titans against the Collingwood Magpies in the VFL at Brighton Homes Arena on Thursday afternoon.
The Lions ran out 67-point winners to continue their unbeaten streak in season 2023.
Challenged by coach Ben Hudson pre-game to start well against a high-scoring Collingwood outfit, the Lions kicked five first quarter goals to two.
James Tunstill opened the scoring in the second minute before a deadlock ensued until the 14th minute as the Pies responded.
Wylie Buzza continued with his good form, answering Collingwood’s challenge with a major of his own.
The Lions went on to kick the last three goals of the term to take a 21-point lead into the first break.
The second quarter began how it ended, with a Tom Fullarton goal as the tall forward kicked two goals for the match.
Both sides traded goals in a seesawing second term, each team kicking three majors apiece.
Kai Lohmann snagged a goal late in the quarter to push the margin out to 23 points at half-time.
The Lions, however, were inaccurate throughout the first half kicking nine behinds by the main break.
Jarryd Lyons took control of the game through the middle of the ground, amassing 40 disposals and 12 clearances for the match to go along with his first quarter goal.
Staking his claim for a senior team selection, Lyons led Brisbane’s midfield brigade.
The Lions midfield were on top for a majority of the contest thanks to ruckman Darcy Fort.
Omitted from the AFL team, Fort kicked three goals, had 20 touches, 34 hit outs and 11 clearances to produce a best on ground performance.
Providing silver service for the Lions engine room, Fort was able to unlock Rhys Mathieson and Noah Answerth.
Mathieson and Answerth had 42 and 31 disposals respectively to go with 15 clearances between them.
The third quarter opened brightly for the Lions as Blake Coleman converted from directly in front.
Buzza and Fort both kicked their second goals midway through the term to open up a 38-point lead by three quarter time.
The scoring flowed in the final quarter with the Lions kicking six goals to one to halt any chance of a Magpies comeback.
Fort and Buzza kicked their third, as Shadeau Brain kicked two in a row to join the party before Answerth snapped one from the pocket to put the game beyond doubt.
Tunstill finished how he started, with a major, as the Lions ran out 67-point winners.
Ryan Lester led the Lions as well as being the general in defence, keeping the Magpies to seven goals and was aided by Lockie Rayner and Harry Arnold who locked down the in-form Collingwood forwards.
Final Score
Brisbane 118 def Collingwood 51
Goals: Buzza 3, Fort 3, Fullarton 2, Tunstill 2, Brain 2, Lyons, Lohmann, Answerth, Coleman, Fletcher
Best: Lyons, Mathieson, Answerth, Lester, Ah Chee, Fort
