Despite leading at various times during the match, the Lions Reserves were overcome by the Aspley Hornets 11.8 (74) to 16.15 (111) in a hard-hitting curtain raiser at the Gabba.
The Reserves had won each of their games at the Gabba this year in the NEAFL but were unable to continue the trend against the red-hot Hornets.
Facing a herculean task with 6 AFL-listed players on the park, the Lions put up a valiant fight and were able to keep pace with third-placed Aspley for a long period of the game.
Jono Freeman had a solid performance up forward, keeping the Lions in the game with a superb snap from the boundary in the second term and backing it up with another goal in the dying minutes to give the Lions the lead at half-time.
But Aspley put the foot down in the third stanza and looked in total control as they posted another four goals to the tally.
Brisbane Lions Rookie Hugh Beasley made a successful return from injury today.
Two late goals to Sunshine Coast product Soul Cormick kept the Lions within touch going into the fourth quarter but they were unable to claw their way back, in the end going down by 37 points.
Jarred Jansen and Josh Clayton both put up good numbers around the ground for the Lions, collecting 30 and 28 disposals respectively.
Matt Payne was prolific for the Hornets in the centre, racking up 36 disposals and 12 marks for the day in a best-on-ground performance.
The win pushes Aspley up to second place on the NEAFL ladder with three rounds left to play.
The Lions Reserves will take plenty of positives out of the match and carry these into their match next Saturday against the Sydney Swans at the SCG.
NEAFL LIONS 2.4 6.5 9.5 11.8 (74)
ASPLEY HORNETS 2.5 5.8 10.10 16.15 (111)
GOALS
Lions: Sloan 2, Freeman 2, Cormick 2, Allison, Mason, Ballenden, Evans, West
Hornets: Nelis 3, Mallan 3, Grose 3, Daye, Wolbers, Sansbury, Joyce, Ainsworth, Payne, Toye
BEST
Lions: Clayton, Jansen, West, Allison, Cormick
Hornets: Payne, Ives, Stanley, Holman, Allen
The Gabba, Brisbane.
