The Aspley Hornets have beaten the Brisbane Lions by 19 points in front of a big crowd at Maroochydore Multisports Complex on the Sunshine Coast.

The 9.11 (65) to 6.10 (46) win for the Hornets ensures that they will stay inside the top six, as they continue to improve with such a turnover in their list.

The win was in stark contrast to the two meetings of the clubs last year, where the Lions won on both occasions by more than 90 points.

The Hornets had the bye last week and came out with a real desire and purpose that they were going to head back to Brisbane with the four points.

In what was a low scoring but free-flowing game of football with the Hornets being able to hit the scoreboard when it matters.

With only seven goals kicked in the first three quarters, and only two points separating the sides, it was set up to be a thriller.

Former Brisbane Lion Jono Freeman kicked two of his three goals as well as hit the post in the last term, and with two goals to Ben Warren, the Hornets were able to create a gap.

With 26 minutes played in the last, it looked like the Hornets had done enough with a lead of 23 points, but the Lions kicked two goals to cut the lead to 12.

It wasn’t to be though, as Lonnie Hampton kicked the sealer for the Hornets, and saw the Lions lose their second game in a row, which they haven’t done since 2016.

Under-18 Brisbane Lions Academy player Kedean Coleman’s run and carry, alongside Mitch Hinge and Cedric Cox were very good, but like their loss to Sydney, the Lions lacked contributors.

Archie Smith, Claye Beams and Tom Bell were good, in a hard-fought battle in the middle with Aspley ruck Jake Spencer, and midfielder Andrew Swallow, Reece Toye and Matt Payne, but in the end weren’t good enough.

For the Hornets, it was a great team performance with players from all over the ground stepping up, in particular the backline with Gavin Grose, Jackson Allen, Jordan Arnold and Jordan Hayden playing well.

Aspley coach John Blair said he was extremely impressed with all of his player’s efforts.

“We are extremely happy. Today was a huge win, to beat an AFL side with a lot of listed players, is worth more than four points,” he told neafl.com.au.

“The boys played really good brand of footy today and were prepared to pay the price to get victory, which is the most pleasing part.

“There is a real evenness about the competition and you have got to fight hard for every four points that you get, and today we did.”

After a disappointing first three matches, the Hornets are starting to show with their very new list, that they are definitely a threat this season.

“It takes a while for players to feel comfortable in the new jumper and absorb to Queensland conditions,” Blair said.

“The players are starting to blend and believe and are prepared to work for each other which is good.”

The Hornets win also shows that they have well and truly bounced back from their narrow defeat against Sydney University two weeks ago.

“We worked extremely hard after the Sydney University match with the bye last week. We didn’t overtrain, but what we did do was look at how we can improve, and today it showed,” Blair said.

“It doesn’t mean that it will work next week because you have got to keep working at those things, but it is a step in the right direction.”

The Hornets play at home next week against the NT Thunder, while the Brisbane Lions will look to rebound after two disappointing losses when they play in Canberra against the Demons next week.

Brisbane Lions v Aspley Hornets at Maroochydore Multisport Complex

ASPLEY 1.3 2.6 4.6 9.11 (65)
BRISBANE 1.2 2.8 3.10 6.10 (46)

GOALS – Aspley: J Freeman 3 B Warren 2 B Batchelor 2 L Hampton  H Joyce Brisbane: R Bastinac 2 C Cox M Hinge M Paparone
BEST – Aspley: M Payne A Swallow R Toye G Grose J Spencer J Freeman Brisbane: M Hinge C Cox K Coleman C Beams J Frost T Bell.