In the first NEAFL curtain-raiser at the Gabba for more than four years, the Brisbane Lions Reserves weren’t able to replicate the senior team’s effort by causing an upset.
Up against fourth-placed Aspley, the Lions were within striking distance at the main break, before fading in the second half and falling by 51 points – 14.5 (89) to 20.20 (140).
Innovation & Development Manager Gary O’Donnell said the result could have been far worse had the Hornets not been wasteful in front of goal.
“They could have really smashed us if they kicked straight,” O’Donnell told lions.com.au.
“They kicked too many easy goals over the course of the game. They hurt us by being able to move ball quickly at times and put our backs under pressure.
The second half fade-out could have been contributed to the fact that the Lions really had only one interchange player for much of the second half.
“Jordan Lisle was rested after half-time as the senior emergency, and both Matthew Leuenberger and Patrick Wearden only played three quarters as they were being managed back from injury,” O’Donnell said.
“So we were effectively down to one player on the bench in that last quarter, and we were only rotating fill-ins in the end.”
And with most of the regular Hyundai Lions Academy top-ups representing Queensland at the U18 Championships in Melbourne, the Lions were forced to field a side with some unfamiliar faces.
“We had seven fill-in players that weren’t our regular Academy boys. Two hadn’t played with us at all, and we had to do introductions two hours before the game.”
O’Donnell also praised Aspley’s performance, labelling them the “best local side in the competition”.
“They are a very strong side with some quality players. They’re also very well coached by AFLQ Hall of Famer John Blair, who really exploited our deficiencies.”
Please find below Gary O’Donnell’s appraisal on each of the listed Lions who played against Aspley last Saturday.
Brent Moloney | Like all of our mids, Brent got high disposal numbers. He was serviceable without having a big influence on the game. He’s working through a long period in seconds – I think it’s been five games now. He’s just trying to get some zip back in his body and find some form, so that when he gets back into senior footy, the move is seamless. |
Jack Crisp | It was an indifferent day for Jack. He was certainly one of our best with 30-odd touches and three goals, but his ball security let him down a little bit. He probably could have added 6-10 disposals on top on the 30 he had. He ran the game out really well. |
Nick Robertson | Nick had high 20s disposals and did some good things with his normal bullocking work a feature. His opponent got away from him a little bit. One thing with Nick is that you can never question his attack on footy. |
Jordan Lisle | Jordan only played half a game as the senior emergency and kicked four goals from six shots. It was his first game back up forward and he was a real focal point for us. He looked set for a big day, and we were only a goal or two behind before we had to take him off. |
Matthew Leuenberger | Leuey was managed off at three quarter time given it was his first game back after a stint on the sidelines. He needed the run, and was a bit rusty. He didn’t seem to jump as freely as we know he can. We’re hoping he pulls up well, and expect he’ll play at least another game with us before transitioning back into senior level. |
Andrew Raines | Had high 20 touches, and looked like he had some run in his legs. He moved OK, but we didn’t get the value from his disposals. He also wasn’t quite running the right patterns that we require with our ball movement. |
Jonathan Freeman | Jono had an off day. He got moved off the ball a bit too easily, so it was one of his down days. He took a couple of marks and kicked a goal, but didn’t have a big day. |
Patrick Wearden | It was Patty’s first game back as well from a long-term foot injury. He said he had felt alright during the game, but tightened up a bit, so we took him off at three quarter-time as a precaution. He should be right for next week. |
Jackson Paine | Jackson played down back all day, and probably lowered his colours a little bit. He could have been a bit more proactive with his positioning, and turned it over when he had time and space. |
Mitch Golby | Mitch tried hard, playing mainly through the wing and a bit inside. He went down back for a quarter as well. He’s just working on his ball security. His disposal was pretty good on the weekend. We’re trying to get him used to being involved in more contested situations, so when he returns as a backman, that’s added to his game. |
Nick Hayes | Nick has been playing back of late, but due to numbers he played mainly in the midfield. He spent half his time inside, and the other half on the wing. Finished with around 20 touches and used the ball pretty well. When he gets it, normally something happens. He just needs to work on his general mobility around the ground. |
Archie Smith | We actually thought Archie went a little bit better than Leuey in the ruck – he seemed to be jumping better. His work around the ground is still developing and he’s working on getting his positioning right. With Leuey back, he also played forward a bit, which is a new experience and a valuable opportunity for him to learn a foreign position. |
Jordon Bourke | Bourkey went back this week after spending the past few as a forward. It wasn’t the game we’ve seen from Bourkey in the past as a defender. He did have a couple of nice edits of play being able to intercept the opposition. But his intensity, work rate, and ability to keep pace in the game are Jordon’s biggest challenges. |
Zac O’Brien | Zac came back after four games in seniors, and spent most of his time in the midfield with a bit on the wing. It was a workmanlike performance, and he had 37 disposals. He’s still working on various things. His mobility and ability to cover the ground is unquestionable, although his repeats at an intense speed is something he’s getting better at. |
Sam Michael | Sam was Mr Fit-It again this week. He started back, then went forward when Lisle went off at half-time. Then when Leuey was managed off, he had a bit of time in ruck. He got 19 touches, so is getting hold of the footy, and took a couple of nice marks. |
Tom Cutler and Isaac Conway didn’t play due to soreness
