The Lions led by just eight points at half time, but a five goal to two third quarter gave them some breathing room, and in the end they recorded a comfortable 20.18 (138) to 16.10 (106) win.
They’re now equal with Southport, Labrador and the NT Thunder on 20 points after seven rounds, but a slightly superior percentage affords them top spot.
While pleased to be sitting in pole position a third of the way through the season, midfielder Jesse O’Brien says there are improvements to be made from Saturday’s showing.
“It’s good to be in the position we are in with five wins on the board already, but today wasn’t our best performance,” O’Brien explained.
“Our first half, in particular, we were doing a few things wrong, and inaccuracy in front of goal is definitely something we need to work on.”
In stark contrast to last week’s sodden and scrappy contest, perfect conditions at Yeronga heralded a frenetic and free-flowing first two quarters on Saturday.
The Lions played on at every opportunity; several times travelling the length of the field through a chain of running handballs, but crucial turnovers and misses in front of goal prevented them getting on top.
Sam Sheldon and Dayne Zorko goalled early, before ex-Lion and Hornets skipper Robbie Copeland kicked his first after a holding free kick against Niall McKeever.
Amon Buchanan, who bullocked through tackles and collected 19 disposals in an encouraging return, bagged his first for the year after a Cheynee Stiller handpass, and the Lions looked to have the upper hand.
But Aspley replied with two goals in a minute through Mitch McKee and Kristian Bucovaz, and when Mckeever conceded another free kick and goal to Copeland soon after the visitors hit the front.
The ever-improving Alex Kitching potted through his first from 45 metres out on a 45° angle to lock the teams at 33 apiece at quarter time.
The sides traded two goals each at the beginning of the second stanza before a couple of touches of class from Dayne Zorko stretched the Lions’ lead.
First he slotted his second major from near the boundary line, then he spotted up Jordon Lisle who converted his second from just inside the 50.
Lisle kicked his third goal after taking a juggling chest mark running back with the flight, but the visitors responded when ball-magnet Matt Payne toed one through at pace on the goal line.
Niall Mckeever infringed upon Copeland for a third time in front of goal, and Steve Wrigley was assigned to Bushy from there on.
The change of opponent didn’t stop Copeland snapping a brilliant dribbling goal from the boundary line just before half-time to keep his side within eight points at the main break.
Lions coach Nathan Clarke wasn’t overly happy with his troops; imploring them to stick to their game plan and not run and carry when a slow build up would be more effective.
As Jesse O’Brien explained, the Lions’ play during the first two quarters on Saturday wasn’t what was discussed at the team meeting.
“We played Aspley’s sort of game style; the way they wanted us to play, in the first half. We were moving the ball too quick and we definitely needed to slow it down,” O’Brien said.
“We didn’t play to our structure. Our structure is controlling the footy and moving it precisely. But we were almost playing on for the sake of it in the first half. We were bombing away when there weren’t numbers and turning it over.”
The Lions heeded their coach’s advice and piled on five goals to two in the third quarter with a more controlled style of play.
Brad Harvey was a livewire up forward with two majors for the term, Bryce Retzlaff took a big pack mark and kicked truly, and Richard Newell goalled after a free kick for high contact.
The goal of the day came midway through the third term. O’Brien burst out of the centre, took a bounce, and looped a sweeping handball to Callum Bartlett who nailed a flying left-footed shot around his body from 40 metres.
The home team was up by 30 points at the final change, and the sides scored three goals each in quarter four to keep the margin respectable for the Hornets.
Isaac Conway kicked his second, and Harvey and Retzlaff joined Jordon Lisle with three goals for the match.
Cheynee Stiller was everywhere in the last term. He had seven high-quality touches, and was the recipient of a Robbie Copeland special when the Aspley skipper took a hanger on his back and goalled.
Copeland finished with six goals from limited opportunities to be the best performed forward on the ground.
The Hornets were also well-served by Mitch Mckee and Matt Payne, who were both last week named in the Queensland side, and prolific ball-winner Micah Buchanan who battled manfully in the midfield.
For the Lions, James Hawskley controlled the back line and finished with 34 possessions, Niall McKeever provided good rebound in the second half particularly, and Steve Wrigley justified his Queensland selection with a watertight defensive display.
The Lions face two Sydney sides in the next fortnight at Yeronga. The Sydney Swans Reserves are first on Saturday May 12 at 1:30pm, followed by the UWS Giants the following Sunday morning at 9:30am.
Sam Canavan reports on Lions Reserves home games.
You can follow him on Twitter - @samcanavan - for live match updates on game-days.
