THE club-wide injury curse has taken a heavy toll on the Reserves, a fully fit UWS Giants spearheaded by the towering Rory Lobb inflicting a 192-point thumping on the young Lions.
A staggering 16 top up players got the call up to Spotless Stadium on Sunday to cover for the extensive list of outs, including Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy, NEAFL and QAFL players not contracted to the Brisbane Lions, who valiantly persisted through the tough 33.18 (216) – 3.6 (24) loss.
In stark contrast the Giants trotted out a team studded with first round draftees with a wealth of experience in the top flight, vying for starting positions in the AFL side.
The Lion cubs showed glimpses of polish and tenacity on a stunning Sydney morning, but were no match for their more seasoned opponents who ran hard and hit targets with consummate ease.
One of just six listed players Billy Evans impressed, the 2014Rookie Draft’s pick 4 collecting 18 possessions and 6 marks attempting to stem the oncoming tide of orange and charcoal.
Caloundra junior and Academy prospect Eric Hipwood was also among the Lions’ best, whilst Joshes McGuinness (7 marks) and Clayton also acquitted themselves nicely with 15 disposals apiece.
Usual spearhead and leading goalkicker for the NEAFL Lions Matthew Hammelmann was thrust into a defensive role to cover the Giants tall timber, whilst Archie Smith (1 goal) continued his improvement in the ruck before a head knock restricted his involvement in the second half.
Bradie Foster, of The Recruit television fame, and Jonah Licht(Mt Gravatt/Redland) kicked the only other Lions majors.
Jack Barrett (44 disposals, 9 tackles), Paul Ahern (33 disposals, 9 marks) and Rhys Palmer (28 disposals) dominated in the engine room, while Curtly Hampton (23 disposals, 1 goal) provided flair and go-forward through the centre of the ground.
Dylan Addison (5 goals) and Jarrod Pickett (4 goals) supported Rory Lobb who booted 7 snags for the day, the three of them leading the tally amongst the Giants’ 14 goalkickers.
The percentage-boosting win propelled UWS to top spot ahead of reigning premiers Aspley, whilst the Lions sit second last with just one win behind the Gold Coast Suns who are similarly struggling with injury.
The NEAFL Lions have a bye next weekend before their bottom of the table clash with Eastlake in Canberra.
UWS GIANTS 8.4 | 17.10 | 27.14 |33.18 (216)
NEAFL LIONS 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 3.6 (24)
GOALS:
Giants: Lobb 7, Addison 5, Pickett 4, Lamb 3, Steele 2, Downie 2, Sumner 2, Phillips 2, Ahern, Hopper, Hampton, Palmer, Reid, Finlayson.
Lions: Foster, Smith, Licht.
BEST:
Giants: Barrett, Lobb, Ahern, Addison, Palmer, Steele.
Lions: Evans, Hipwood, Smith, Golby, McGuinness.
