The Lions’ side boasted just 10 listed players – their lowest number of the season – after being forced to make 11 changes to the team that defeated Southport the previous week.
The Lions matched the Suns for three quarters, but were left ruing a poor second term which ultimately proved the difference in the 47-point defeat.
Reserves Coach Leigh Harding said he was particularly pleased with how his young troops came out in the opening term.
“We were terrific in the first quarter. We cracked in at the contest probably the best we have all season – particularly considering the amount of Hyundai Lions Academy kids we had in the side,” Harding told lions.com.au.
“But we really let ourselves down in the second quarter. Our defensive stuff dropped off significantly and the Suns kicked five goals to nil, which ended up being pretty much the final margin.
“I know they kicked a few goals late in the game to extend the margin out to eight goals, but the second quarter was where the game was really determined.”
One of the real positives for the Lions was the continued improvement of draftee Michael Close, who was among the team’s better players in a permanent forward role.
“Closey’s gone forward in the last couple of weeks after playing down back for a few,” Harding said.
“He seems to have settled well up there, and probably played his best game for the year on Saturday. He presented well and gave us a strong target. Hopefully that’s the standard he now brings every week.
“He has a very good running ability, leads to the right spots, and is also quite strong and aggressive for a young bloke. They are all good traits to have as a forward.”
“The forward line had a bit of a different look to it last week, with Close and (Hyundai Lions Academy prospect) Jono Freeman working together as the tall forwards,” Harding said.
“It meant Jordan (Lisle) played a bit higher, and Ace Cornelius spent most of his time on the wing.”
Like the senior team, the Reserves will have a Bye in the NEAFL this week before heading down the Coast to play Broadbeach in Round 13 at Cooke-Murphy Oval.
Harding said the team could be bolstered by the potential returns of some injured players in time for their next match.
“I think Jesse O’Brien and Patrick Wearden should be back, and Jared Polec is a chance as well,” he said.
“Matt Maguire trained the best he has in a while today as well, so we could get an injection of 5-6 players back after the Bye.”
Daniel Rich is also not far away from his much anticipated return, although Harding expects the Vice-Captain to slot straight comfortably back into the senior team.
“You don’t put your rolls Royce out in the rain,” he said.
“I would imagine would go straight back into the seniors. He had a full pre-season and has been able to run for the past few weeks, so fitness shouldn’t be an issue. It’s more about getting strength back into his shoulder.”
