The Brisbane Lions Reserves prevailed by 22 points against Gold Coast at Coorparoo on Saturday, despite only winning one quarter for the match.

The Lions went into the first break trailing by just 14 points, before piling on 10 unanswered goals to find themselves eight goals ahead by half time.

However, the reigning NEAFL champs could manage just three more goals for the game, as the SUNS brought some respectability back to the scoreboard. 

While the team’s second quarter performance certainly pleased Reserves Coach Leigh Harding, he has spent much of his post-game analysis focussing on the other three quarters.

“To win is obviously great, but we need to look at how we can improve on the other three quarters, and particularly the second half,” Harding said.

“I actually thought we competed well in the first quarter, even though it was five goals to two. It didn’t feel like we were three goals behind – both sides were going quite well.

“Then, in the second, we got going with Billy Longer and Sam Michael really driving us from the middle.

“We seemed to score very quickly and before you could blink, we were 5-6-7-8 goals ahead.”

Harding credited the midfield for his side’s remarkable turnaround.

“The midfield definitely got on top. Karnezis, Crisp, O’Brien, Bartlett and Banfield all got plenty of it and were given a free ride courtesy of Longer and Michael’s ruckwork.

“We just seemed to clear the ball out of every stoppage and move it forward where Jordy Lisle did most of the damage. I think he had four up until half time.”

Harding also praised the efforts of Niall McKeever, who has bedded down a key defensive role for the Lions Reserves in recent weeks.

“Niall has been very, very good,” Harding said.

“He’s improved immensely. He played on Bock for the majority of the game and kept him to just one goal, and got 20 touches himself.

“The last time we played the SUNS, Bock kicked 4-5 goals in a half against him, so Niall’s really been able to turn the tables.”