The Brisbane Lions have maintained their winning form, defeating the Aspley Hornets by 49 points at Coorparoo Oval.
In a notably bruising encounter in which both sides imposed themselves physically, Brisbane emerged from a half-time deficit to run over the top of their opponents, winning 19.20-134 to 13.7-85.
Josh Green was the major goal-kicker for the Lions, finishing the day with four while Rohan Bewick, Andrew Raines, Patrick Karnezis and rookie Callum Bartlett were all solid contributors for the home side.
The Lions were tested early as a determined Aspley did all the attacking to kick the first three goals of the match. Sam Michael and Niall McKeever did well to repel Aspley’s repeated moves inside-50 while Patrick Karnezis had plenty of the ball in the opening term.
The Lions started the second term with purpose to arrest a three goal deficit through its hard-working midfield. Brisbane lifted its intensity before a goal to Bewick and two in succession to Richard Newell put Brisbane in front for the first time in the match.
At half-time Brisbane trailed by five points, but in the third term the match belonged to the Lions. Three quick goals early in the quarter put the home side up by 14 points and while Aspley did their best to put the Lions off balance, it was to no avail after a running snap to the prolific Josh Green put Brisbane’s lead out to 26 points.
When Todd Banfield kicked the opening goal of the final quarter, the game was as good as won. While the ball moved quickly from end to end in a fourth quarter shoot-out, the Lions maintained a comfortable margin, and late goals to Aaron Cornelius and Green followed Bewick’s third for the afternoon put the result beyond doubt.
Coach Leigh Harding was pleased with his side’s ability to withstand the Hornets’ intensity in what he described as a good, hard contested game of footy.
“Aspley gave us everything they had and we had to match that, which we did,” he said.
“Our boys were able to work their way into the game and from the start of the third quarter we began to control things and play the game on our terms.”
Harding was particularly pleased with some of the Lions’ senior players and the example they set for their younger teammates.
“Guys who have played a lot of senior footy like Rohan Bewick and Andrew Raines, their attitude coming back has been fantastic and that brings the young blokes along with them,” he said.
The Lions travel to Sydney to play the Swans on Friday night.
Lions: 1.4.10 5.12.42 12.16.88 19.20.134
Aspley: 4.4.28 7.5.47 9.5.59 13.8.86
LIONS
Goal Kickers: J. Green 4, R. Bewick 3, C. Bartlett 3, A. Cornelius 2, T. Banfield 2, R. Newell 2, M. Paparone , P. Karnezis , M. Maguire
Best Players: R. Bewick, A. Raines, J. Green, P. Karnezis, S. Michael, J. Crisp
ASPLEY
Goal Kickers: N. Clarke 3, C. Stiller 2, M. Nickerson , J. Nelis , D. Reid , C. French , R. Toye , B. Forbes , A. Lucy , J. James
Best Players: J. Satchell, R. Toye, R. Matthews, R. Copeland, N. Clarke
