The Brisbane Lions Reserves have continued their undefeated start to the 2013 NEAFL season with a 17.9 (111) to 12.7 (79) win over the Gold Coast Suns in the inaugural ANZAC Day clash at Harrup Park in Mackay.
The Lions Reserves put on an entertaining game for the enthusiastic 3000-strong crowd in a usually rugby league-oriented town.
After a slow start to the first quarter and a goal from the Suns to kick off the match, the Lions picked up the pace and showed an early edge over their rivals.
15 minutes into the first quarter, the Reserves’ were supremely efficient with three goals from just five forward 50 entries.
The Reserves often denied the Suns the opportunity to score, applying terrific pressure in defence.
“Our defence at the start was really good and this set up the game really well," Reserves Coach Leigh Harding said.
"We have little aspects of our defence to improve on but overall it was really good.”
Captain Jordan Lisle was dominant throughout the whole game, showing his leadership with a big bag of eight goals.
“Jordan was outstanding in the way he played and conducted himself as a skipper.” Harding said.
Simon Black continued his succesful comeback from injury with another clinical display.
Despite the Suns’ various efforts to gain possession throughout, the Reserves’ combination of speed, possession and team work proved them to be too good for their rivals.
The Suns kicked into gear in the final quarter with four goals, however the Lions Reserves held strong to run out 32-point victors.
Harding said the team's focus would now shift to next week’s big test against the Sydney Swans Reserves in Sydney.
“We had a really quick turnaround for this game so now we’ve got about 10 days off until the next one, so we’ll relax for a few days, enjoy the win and then it’ll be back to business as usual.”