It all went to script for the Lions Reserves in their pre-season hit out against QAFL side Labrador on Saturday, defeating the gallant Tigers by 90 points.
Sandringham recruit Corey Lyons drew praise from Lions coach Mitch Hahn, whilst former Darling Downs junior Sam Copland snagged 3 first half goals.
“I thought Corey Lyons through the middle of the field was able to find a lot of the footy,” said Hahn about the 71st pick at the 2016 NAB AFL National Draft.
Both sides sweated it out in the middle of the day at Cooke Murphy Oval, the mercury touching the 30-degree mark before the first bounce at 11.30am.
It didn’t take long for the Lions to get off the mark, Josh Clayton soccering through a goal in the 2nd minute.
The Lions dominated the first quarter, and it wasn’t until the start of the second term that Tom Thorsen put one through the big sticks for Labrador.
Lions Academy player Sam Copland was impressive, the third of his three first half goals coming from a strong contested grab.
Unusually the Lions kicked exactly four goals each quarter, which could have been more if it weren’t for some wayward shots on goal, a fact lamented by coach Mitch Hahn.
“I thought that at times we probably missed some opportunities, at one stage there we kicked five points in a row so we didn’t make the most of our opportunities, but certainly a great learning experience for our group.
“Holistically we’re looking at the group, these kind of games are always hard to point out individuals because for us it’s where we’re at really in our development, we’re looking at a whole group and the way that we play as a team rather than the specific individuals.
“If we get results like we did today we know the individuals are performing within that.”
Claye Beams was also impressive through the midfield, whilst Rhys Mathieson continued his campaign for senior selection with two goals.
Liam Dawson has played both up forward and down back in his time at Brisbane, and was impressive as a rebounding defender against Labrador, taking a glut of intercept marks.
But coach Hahn says no player is a lock for any position just yet, a statement made clear as traditional forward Josh Walker lined up at full back.
“Chris (Fagan) the senior coach is still working out where players best fit in our overall plan, the great opportunity we’ve got at this level is to try guys out in different positions and show Chris they’re able to play multiple positions.”
The Lions Reserves have a bye next weekend, before one last practice match against the Gold Coast Suns prior to their 2017 NEAFL campaign getting underway against the Sydney Swans in Round 1.
LABRADOR 0.1 2.2 3.3 3.3 (21)
BRISBANE LIONS 4.3 8.6 12.12 16.15 (111)
GOALS:
Labrador: Thorsen, Coombe, Mullins
Lions: Copland 3, William 2, Pershouse 2, Mathieson 2, Fletcher 2, Grewar, Clayton, McInerney, Hinge, Barnes
BEST:
Labrador: Brad Carter, M Daniel, Z Brain, J Goldsmith, D Dowlman.
Brisbane: C Lyons, C Beams, R Mathieson, L Dawson, S Copland.
Cooke Murphy Oval, Labrador
ALSO SEE: AFL Match Report
