The Brisbane Lions reserves have overcome their toughest challenge all season, defeating the Southport Sharks 14.4.88 to 9.22.76 in a top of the table clash.
Southport proved a fierce opposition, gaining the ascendancy for much of the match, with only some wayward kicking saving the Lions from a larger deficit.
For much of the contest the Lions were camped within their own 50, but they were more efficient with ball in hand than the Sharks, scoring a goal from only two forward 50 entries in the 1st quarter.
However in a clinical 3rd quarter defensive display by the Sharks they prevented the Lions from gaining a single point while amassing a 30-point lead.
In a courageous effort the Lions began the 4th quarter with four straight goals to turn the match around.
The Sharks would not go down without a fight though and the final minutes were frantic, the lead changing several times.
However the class of the Reserves prevailed with some brutal tackles in front of their own sticks and a final brace of goals concluding the contest.
After the game coach Leigh Harding said he was never nervous about the result.
“No I wasn’t, I thought if we were within 6 goals, we’d have the ability to turn it around and be close enough.” he said.
He said the game would be an invaluable learning experience for the team.
“It’s fantastic for our guys, we lost two at halftime so we could only make half of the rotations we usually do, guys were very tired and to win it like that, it was a really good test”
Harding was particularly pleased with the Lions midfield, largely attributing the turnaround in the Lions game to them.
“Our midfield won it for us, they started getting their hands on the ball, and they got it forward. That allowed us to dictate the game finally.
“Harwood, Crisp and Longer were outstanding and also Paparone on the wing who snagged three goals.” he said.
The undefeated Lions Reserves return home to Coorparoo next weekend to play the Gold Coast Suns.
Lions Reserves: 1.0 5.1 5.1 14.4.88
Southport Sharks: 0.11 3.16 7.19 9.22.76
Lions
Goals Kickers: Cornelius 4, Paparone 3, Bresenehan, Bartlett, Daye, Banfield, Longer, Harwood, Hayes
Best Players: J. Crisp, R. Harwood, J. Bourke, M. Paparone, N. Hayes, L. Dignan
Southport
Goal Kickers: G. Screech 2, C. Hughes 2, J. Macansh , W. Mills , F. Pope , S. Thynne , J. Burge
Best Players: B. Headland, D. Wise, J. Burge, K. Niklaus, D. Weymouth, F. Pope
