Ten unanswered second-quarter goals proved the difference in the Brisbane Lions taking out their third NEAFL win against the Gold Coast this year at Coorparoo on Saturday afternoon.
The Suns won every other quarter, but it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap opened up before the main break, the Lions prevailing by 22 points and firming their record to 12-1 atop the ladder.
Gold Coast, the NEAFL’s form team a month ago when they handed the Lions their first defeat of the year, amidst a six match winning streak, has now lost its last two; falling to fourth spot, with an 8-5 win-loss ratio.
But the Suns have been hit hard by injury of late – fielding 14 listed-players to Brisbane’s 19 on Saturday – and coach Shaun Hart will be hoping for the return of key personnel in the lead-in to September.
In 24° sunshine, the visitors had the better of the opening exchanges; kicking five goals to two in the first half hour to lead by 14 points at quarter-time.
But the reigning cross-conference premiers responded in emphatic fashion; piling on 10.4 to 0.2 in the second stanza to open up a comfortable break at the main change.
The Suns battled gallantly after half-time, but each time they looked like mounting a comeback the Lions responded, with the eventual score 15.17 (107) to 13.7 (85).
“I’m a little bit disappointed in the second half, considering the quality of the opposition, it’s pleasing to come away with the win,” Reserves Coach Leigh Harding said.
“The second quarter was definitely the story of the afternoon; we made the most of every opportunity, and ultimately that’s what won us the game.”
The match’s other big story was the performance of 18-year-old dynamo Jack Martin.
The WA product, who Harding branded “the most exceptional young player” he’d ever seen, was dominant; winning his own ball, breaking lines, and taking a crowd-pleasing hanger on the coaches’ wing amongst a big pack in the first quarter.
Aside from Martin, Alex Sexton, and Seb Tape were best for the Suns, and Jacob Gilbee bagged five goals, while the Lions were led by Jack Crisp, Niall Mckeever, Patrick Karnezis, and five from Jordan Lisle.
SCOREBOARD
Brisbane Lions 2.5 12.9 14.11 15.17
Gold Coast Suns 5.1 5.3 10.6 13.7
GOALS - Lions: Lisle 5, Cornelius 2, Paparone 2, Polkinghorne, Wearden, Karnezis, Michael, Bartlett, Banfield. Suns: Gillbee 5, Hall 2, Patrick 2, Bock 2, Fraser, Sexton.
BEST - Lions: Crisp, Karnezis, McKeever, Polkinghorne, Lisle. Suns: Martin, Sexton, Tape, Gillbee, Allen, Hall.
