Four 20-minute quarters at Yeronga, in Brisbane's inner-south, rounded out training for the week for the Brisbane Lions.
The majority of the Club’s top personnel were on show, however Tom Rockliff and vice-captain Dayne Beams were rested from the match.
In their absence, the Club’s extra midfield depth was made apparent with new recruits Tom Bell (two goals) and Ryan Bastinac - who saw plenty of the football.
“Belly was good, the back-end of the game. We felt he was full of run and that his strength was his ability to be able to finish the game off,” Lions Assistant Coach Murray Davis told LionsTV.
“I thought Ryan Lester started really well too, he was pretty strong in the early parts of the game.”
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Davis said the players had to adjust to Brisbane’s wet conditions after the humidity of past weeks.
“The second half of the game the conditions were a little bit greasy, compared to last week where it was hot and sweaty and sticky for the players.
“They had to adapt and we thought that they did that.”
Josh Schache again impressed with two goals, backing up from his four-goal performance last week.
The 18-year-old’s first goal was a soccered ball off the ground that curled through the posts from a tight angle, his next major a perfectly executed drop punt from outside 50.
But Schache was not the only young key forward to impress.
Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy product Eric Hipwood kicked two goals and shaved the post with another shot.
“We had Hipwood and Schache at both ends but Hammelmann and Freeman bobbed up for a couple of goals as well,” Davis said.
“I think with all of our forwards it’s really about playing them playing their role and that’s what they did really well. They played their role for the team and that’s all we ask of them.”
Rookie Archie Smith impressed with a strong showing in the ruck and second year player Josh Clayton also kicked two goals.
Lions Ruckman Stefan Martin required eight stitches after copping a stray elbow to the forehead early in the match. He was taken into the rooms for treatment and returned to the ruck soon after.
Brisbane will complete a final match simulation training session at Burpengary next Friday before the NAB Challenge opener against Gold Coast on February 21.
