The Brisbane Lions Reserves have outlasted the UWS Giants to finish the regular NEAFL season at the top of the table.
The Lions ran out 15.15-105 to 14.10.94 victors at Yeronga.
A dominant first quarter from Brisbane established a lead that the Giants could never surmount although there were some tense moments towards fulltime.
Through enterprising attack and an impressive defensive spread the Lions ended the first quarter 6.6-42 to 3.4-22.
Although the Giants mounted a comeback in the final quarter to end the contest only 11 points behind, the result was never in doubt.
Coach Leigh Harding described the 1st quarter as one of the best display’s he had seen all season.
“Pressure wise, that was the best it’s ever been,”
“That then gave us a chance to win the ball and get it up field and if we can do that over four quarters, we’ll be hard to top in the finals.” he said.
Todd Banfield and Patrick Wearden played with poise in the midfield while Jordan Lisle and Jack Crisp provided solid targets up front, kicking six goals between them.
Harding was ecstatic about the Reserves end to the regular season.
“The boys have earned top spot on the ladder, they’ve earned the right to have a week off and they’ve earned the right to have other sides thinking “How are we going to top this mob?,”
“I wish I’d played more finals footy in my career, we all play to play finals footy so we’ll enjoy this” he said.
As minor premiers of the Northern NEAFL conference the Lions reserves will now have a week off which Harding stressed would be of great benefit.
“The week off will be vital, we can rest, keep training with the seniors and watch the other finals matches to see what we might be up against” he said.
Harding was also complimentary of the recently announced restructuring of the NEAFL competition in 2014, which includes reducing the amount of teams from 19 to 14.
“It’ll help everyone involved, it’s so important that the NEAFL grows and grows as a competitive league,”
“They want to attract the best players and keep them in this competition for longer and grow some history for the comp, I think it’s a good step.” he said.
Harding also reflected on his first season as Brisbane Lions Reserves coach.
“It’s been really rewarding all around, but definitely seeing some of the guys go through and play AFL,”
“Sitting back and watching guys like Sam Mayes and Ryan Harwood play in prime time is such a reward.” he said.
BRISBANE LIONS 6.6 11.6 14.11 15.15 (105)
UWS GIANTS 3.4 5.8 10.9 14.10 (94)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Lisle 3, Crisp 3, Karnezis 2, Polkinghorne 2, Weardon, Cornelius, Close, O'Brien, Bourke
UWS Giants: O'hAilpin 3, Growden 2, Schulz 2, Redfern 2, Barrett 2, Plowman, Jalksch, Ugle
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Lisle, Polkinghorne, Close, Newell, O'Brien, Weardon
UWS Giants: Schulz, Bruce, Stewart, Miles, Darley, Edwards
