The Lions NEAFL team remain undefeated after 12 games this season but they survived an early scare by Redland on the weekend.

Development Coach Zane Littlejohn told lions.com.au the team started slow and were not playing the brand of football they have prided themselves on so far this season.

However, they managed to turn this around by stepping up their intensity and focusing on contested ball.

“Our ability to work hard and win the contested footy around the clearances is really important,” Littlejohn said. 

“At half time we went in at only plus eight in contested footy but finished the day off at plus 43, which is a massive turnaround and a big half of footy.” 

New recruit Ely Smith made his long-awaited return from injury, with Littlejohn saying he probably had his best game for the Lions. 

“Full credit to him, the young man needs to take a lot of credit… his attitude was fantastic and he probably had his best game of footy for our footy club,” he said.

“He was clean around the contest, he was strong and I think the commentators even mentioned at one stage that he was even like a bull.”

After kicking his first goal last week, Irish sensation James Madden didn’t hold back, coming away with five.

“He has found a little niche now up forward.”

“It’s just great reward for all the hard work he has put in, he has brought into being an elite athlete now.”

Playing up forward in the Gaelic league, Littlejohn said Madden’s natural instincts took over. 

“To take four or five contested marks and kick five straight, in your first year ever of AFL footy is a pretty good achievement,” he said.

Showcasing the Lions depth usual defenders Nick Robertson and Marcus Adams were shifted to the forward line in the second half.

“We just thought we were a little bit big down back and a little short up forward so we thought we were able to give the opportunity to play in different positions,” Littlejohn said.

Here Robertson led the pack finishing with five goals and 21 disposals.

“We just felt we needed a little bit more grunt around the footy, so we actually moved him outside forward,” he said.

‘To kick five three, eight shots at goal is a great effort from Nick.”

The Lions NEAFL team will take on the GWS GIANTS this Sunday at 1:00pm at Spotless Stadium as the curtain raiser for the Lions ALF side at 4:40pm.