A near full-strength Lions Reserves side was too strong for the Gold Coast Suns Reserves cruising to a 20.19.139 to 12.6.78 win on a cloudy Saturday afternoon.
The Lions Reserves were hungry for a win as they headed to the new AFL Precinct at Burpengary for a home game against the Gold Coast Suns. Coming off a bye last week, this match proved to be a must-win scenario if the Lions wished to keep their NEAFL Finals dreams alive. The home side went into the match confident they could overcome their Gold Coast rivals with the team list bolstered by returning names such as Nick Robertson, Ryan Lester Tom Cutler and Andrew Raines who were all omitted from the senior side this week.
The Lions burst out of the blocks with a quick goal from Jono Freeman to set the scene. The home side dominated early in the piece with accurate kicking and a strong short game to maintain possession and put pressure on the Gold Coast outfit in their own half. Gold Coast fought their way back into the contest late in the first term with a goal in the last few minutes but were still trailing the Lions by 8 points at quarter time.
The Lions continued strongly, carrying their momentum into the second quarter but were only able to add behinds to the scoreboard at first. Archie Smith had a big impact in the ruck, winning key contests and demonstrating his perseverance. A tired Gold Coast defence struggled to withstand the probing Lions attack as the hosts added eight goals to Gold Coast’s four. By half time, the Lions had extended their lead to 34 points.
The 3rd quarter started as a more even contest with a goal apiece for the Suns and the Lions, the latter a classy piece of work by Andrew Raines on the run to slot a goal from 40 metres out. However, goals at regular intervals for the Lions without response held the dispirited Suns at bay with the away side only managing one goal for the quarter.
The home side entered the final quarter with a healthy 64 point lead. The Suns however increased their tempo to truly test the Lions composure for the first time in the match. Both teams traded goal-for-goal for most of the quarter but the newfound Gold Coast energy had arrived too late. The Brisbane Lions Reserves eventually prevailed with a 61 point win over a lack-lustre Gold Coast outfit.
Isaac Conway and Jordan Bourke proved most accurate in front of the sticks with three goals apiece and Rohan Bewick starred with 32 disposals for the Lions. Karmichael Hunt was a rare shining light with 25 disposals in an otherwise ordinary Suns side.
FINAL SCORE
Brisbane Lions Reserves: 3.4 8.4 5.7 4.4 139
Gold Coast Suns Reserves: 2.2 4.2 1.1 5.1 78
Lions Goals: Bourke 3, Close 3, Conway 3, Cutler 2, Freeman 2, Martin 2, Bertoli-Simmonds, Crisp, Driffield, Polkinghorne, Raines
Gold Coast Goals: Sumner 2, Ellis, Filewood, Hay, Hunt, Taylor
Lions Best: Bewick, Robertson, Cutler, Conway
Gold Coast Best: Hunt, Taylor, Osbourne
