The ladder leading Brisbane Lions remain undefeated after a 47-point victory over the fifth-placed GIANTS at GIANTS Stadium on Sunday morning.
The Lions opened the floodgates early in the second term to set up the 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75) in emphatic style, in a match where Brisbane fielded a full team of 23 AFL-listed players.
Brisbane looked strong early on, booting the first major within minutes. However, the GIANTS proved they were up to the task.
A hard-hitting tackle took Jack Buckley early, but he later returned to the field in the 12th minute to boot the second goal for the home side.
Liam Delahunty soccered his second goal of the quarter to put the GIANTS in front for the first look of the game, however it was only short lasting with the Lions quick to answer back and to take the lead towards the end of the first term.
Both sides played a hard-hitting game, but it was the Lions who produced three straight goals midway through the second quarter to gain the ascendency after leading by six points at the first change.
Cedrick Cox took an intercept mark late in the second term to extend the Lions margin to a further 39 points. The contest began to slip away from the GIANTS having failed to boot a goal in the second quarter, while the Lions piled on six.
The home side lifted in the third, kicking two goals to none to bring the margin back to 34 points at the last change.
The GIANTS tried desperately to crawl themselves back into the contest, going toe-to-toe with the undefeated Lions in the final term, but Brisbane has too much class and pulled away late.
Lewis Taylor inspired his side’s 17th straight win with 34 disposals and two goals, alongside Rhys Mathieson (30 disposals and three goals) who were among their better players.
With one more round left in this year’s campaign, Brisbane travels back to Sydney next week to take on the Swans at Tramway Oval, while the GIANTS will have the opportunity to redeem themselves against the eighth-placed Gold Coast.
GIANTS v Brisbane Lions at GIANTS Stadium
BRISBANE 7.1 13.7 13.12 18.14 (122)
GIANTS 6.1 6.4 8.8 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Brisbane: C Ballenden 3 R Mathieson 3 C McFadyen 2 R Bastinac 2 T Cutler 2 L Taylor 2 T Fullarton C Cox S Skinner E Smith.
GIANTS: C Brown 2 L Delahunty 2 H Grant E Perryman T Sheridan N Shipley J Buckley D Addison Z Barzen.
BEST – Brisbane: R Mathieson M Hinge L Taylor C Lyons E Smith C Ballenden.
GIANTS: X O’Halloran M Buntine J Buckley I Cumming C Idun.
