The Brisbane Lions’ young stars came to the fore on Sunday afternoon against the Gold Coast Suns.
Emerging second-year midfielders Jarrod Berry and Hugh McCluggage both recorded the most disposals of their careers to date (25 and 26 respectively). Berry also recorded a career-high eight tackles and nine marks.
Alex Witherden finished with 27 disposals and a career-high 14 marks.
Harris Andrews was exceptional in defence on Suns spearhead Tom Lynch, restricting him to just two goals and 13 touches while grabbing seven marks and 19 disposals himself. Andrews produced 14 spoils with the Lions making 41 in total compared to the Suns' 20.
At quarter time the Suns led the inside 50 count 19-11, but by full time the tally was 60-55 the Lions’ way.
60 is the Lions’ highest inside 50
The Lions finished with 400 disposals and 100 uncontested marks, while also winning the tackle count despite a poor first quarter.
Another positive was that the Suns only took six marks inside 50, down on the average of 16 the Lions have conceded through the first four games.
Six of the Suns’ goals came directly from free kicks. In the first four games, the Lions only conceded four goals directly from free kicks.
Clearances continue to be a strong area in 2018 and the Lions currently sit second overall in the league for clearance differential.
Eagles impressive in NEAFL victory
Key defender Matt Eagles had a huge 12 intercept possessions in the Lions NEAFL side’s 47-point victory over the previously undefeated Suns on Sunday.
Eagles finished with 22 disposals and three contested marks in an amazing defensive performance that restricted the Suns to just 36 points off 43 inside
Sam Mayes and Rhys Mathieson, who were both omitted from the Senior side on the weekend, collected 31 and 27 disposals each.
Claye Beams, Tom Bell and Brandon Starcevich also had strong games.
The Lions had 30 more contested possessions than the Suns, 10 more inside
