Thirty of the 37 goals were kicked at the western end of the ground, although the breeze was worth three goals, not seven.
Suncoast led by six goals at quarter-time, three points at the half, 49 points at the final change, and survived 20.13 (133)-17.20 (122) after Morningside got to within five points with four minutes to play.
Centreman Albert Proud continued his stellar form he Suncoast with another outstanding effort, and it was Proud’s determination around the clearances in the last five minutes that got his side home.
Proud lifted for one last big effort, winning two clearances against the tide after David Lillico had made several clean clearances himself from the centre to turn a cakewalk into a thriller.
Morningside were equally well served by centre-half-forward Kent Abey, who beat four separate opponents to kick four goals in the last quarter and almost pull of a remarkable victory.
Abey also kicked four behinds for the term in a remarkable individual performance, ending the game with seven goals.
All his shots at goal came from super strong marks on the lead and he showed just why WAFL and SANFL clubs are so desperate to get their hands on him.
Lillico, Tyson Upton and Nathan Kinch were exceptional around the clearances in the second and final terms, yet it was Proud and Cheynee Stiller who dominated the contested ball in the first and third terms.
Suncoast had a full complement of 16 listed players, although Stiller and Matthew Leuenberger had early showers at three quarter time just in case they were called up in an emergency for the senior game tomorrow.
Stiller was particularly hard at the ball, while Leuenberger and likely State ruckman Jacob Gough engaged in an entertaining battle.
Tom Collier played with plenty of dash off half-back and through the midfield for the Lions, while James Polkinghorne’s strong marking was a feature, often against opponents much taller than him.
Robert Copeland started brightly for the Lions, kicking two first quarter goals and being involved in everything as they opened a big lead.
Brett Connell stood tall in defence for the Panthers and Mark Rootsey lent great support to Lillico during the middle and latter stages.
The huge effort required to get back from a 49-point deficit told on the Panthers in the dying minutes, kicking the ball directly to opponents when they had been super slick to that point.
Lion Bradd Dalziell also showed plenty of composure in the dying minutes, calmly dummying a rival and goalling on the run to break a sequence of seven consecutive Morningside goals.
He also set up the final goal of the game with a deft handpass.
Scores:
Suncoast Lions, 8.4, 9.7, 17.13, 20.13 (133)
Morningside, 2.4, 8.10, 9.12, 17.20 (122)
Goals, Lions: J Polkinghorne 3, R Copeland 2, M Tyler 2, A Proud 2, S Clouston 2, L Henderson 2, A Magin 2, D Stevens 2, P Garner, B Dalziell, M Austin 1. Panthers: K Abey 7, D Bonney 2, R Holman, J Gough, N Clark, A Spackman, M Rootsey, M Logan, J Price 1.
Best, Lions: A Proud, T Collier, J Polkinghorne, M Austin, C Stiller, M Leuenberger. Panthers: K Abey, J Gough, D Lillico, M Rootsey, B Connell.
