The Lions looked to be on the ropes at stages during the third quarter, but dug deep to reclaim the lead and maintain it despite kicking against the breeze in the final term.
It was a truly epic encounter that could very easily have gone either way.
“We started quite well, but there was a period at the end of the second term until about 20 minutes into the third when we didn’t kick a goal,” Reserves Coach Leigh Harding said.
“Then we came from four goals down, to two goals in front, and by three quarter time it was level.
“We were kicking into the wind in the last quarter, but were lucky enough to break through by scrapping the first couple of goals out.
“We stayed in front for a while. It was a really good contest and both sides had to really fight for their goals. In the end, they kicked a couple of late goals, including one with only 5-10 seconds remaining.”
Harding praised the efforts of second-year players Patrick Wearden and Jack Crisp, who each played key roles in the victory.
“Patty (Wearden) played on Nathan Clarke for most of the game and kept him to only 8-9 touches and no goals,” Harding said.
“It was a super effort, along with the rest of the backline, who were under the pump – particularly in those middle stages. If it wasn’t for Wearden, (Jordon) Bourke, and (Niall) McKeever, we probably would have been blown away.
“Crisp, along with Jesse O’Brien, was enormous in the midfield. He just willed himself to every contest and even kicked a couple of goals. He finished with 30-plus possessions, 7-8 tackles and 10 clearances in a very solid performance.”
SCOREBOARD
Brisbane Lions 3.4 6.4 12.7 16.10 (106)
Aspley 1.4 6.11 11.13 15.14 (104)
GOALS – Lions: Cornelius 3, Banfield 2, Hammelmann 2, Crisp 2, Longer, Wearden, Smith, Bartlett, Newell, Karnezis, O’Brien. Hornets: French 3, Nelis 3, Reid 2, Sansbury 2, Lucy, Smith, Stiller, Hughes, Ives.
BEST – Lions: Wearden, Crisp, O’Brien, Newell, Cornelius, Paparone. Hornets: Reid, Stanley, Matthews, French, Toye, Bevan.
