The 34.14 (218) to 7.3 (45) win boosts the Lions’ percentage to 196.01%; a whopping 61 percentage points clear of second-placed NT Thunder.
The Lions now sit at 10 wins and two losses after 14 rounds, but their run home is decidedly difficult.
The Lions play Sydney Swans Reserves away from home next week, and the Swans will be confident after winning the sides’ Round 8 clash quite comfortably.
Gold Coast, fast-finishing Redlands and the Tim Notting-inspired Labrador are other late season match-ups Lions Reserves Coach Nathan Clarke will be sweating on.
While there are tough games to come leading in to the Finals, yesterday’s result was effectively decided after the first half hour.
At quarter time, the Lions were on track to match the 275 points they piled on against UWS in Round 9; leading 11.3 (75) to 1.1 (13).
The Lions’ lead passed 100 midway through the second quarter, and they led by 105 at the long break.
Mt Gravatt stemmed the scoreboard haemorrhaging somewhat in the second half, but the margin continued to swell regardless.
At three-quarter-time the Lions were in front by exactly 150 points, and it’s testament to the Vultures’ final quarter endeavour that the full-time difference didn’t exceed 200.
The eventual 173-point gap was the Lions’ second biggest win of 2012, (after their record-breaking 241-point rout of UWS), and it consigned Mt Gravatt to second last on the ladder.
As expected in such a lopsided contest, the statistics underline the winning team’s dominance.
The Lions more than doubled the Vultures’ disposal and clearance count, and got the footy inside 50 on 80 occasions compared to 29.
Individually, there were contributors across the board.
In ideal conditions, spearhead Aaron Cornelius kicked seven goals, fellow tall Jordan Lisle bagged four, and Claye Beams snagged a season-high five.
The Lions had 13 different goal-kickers, including ruckman Billy Longer and fellow boom recruit Sam Docherty, who relished the opportunity to sneak forward and goal twice.
Patrick Karnezis (44 possessions) topped the disposal tally for the second week running, ahead of Amon Buchanan and Docherty, who collected 39 and 31 touches respectively.
Jesse O’Brien impressed in his second game back from injury with 28 disposals and three goals, Richard Newell ran himself into the ground, and Sam Sheldon showed glimpses of his best.
Todd Banfield also got through his second match back from injury, running the wing for the majority of the game and racking up 23 disposals and seven tackles.
The Lions Reserves’ next home game is Saturday afternoon 14 July against Labrador at Coorparoo.
Sam Canavan reports on Lions Reserves home games.
You can follow him on Twitter - @samcanavan - for live match updates on game-days in Queensland.
