The visitors came out firing with seven unanswered goals in the opening quarter which effectively put victory out of the Cats’ reach by the first break.
But despite the one-sided scoreline, Reserves Coach Nathan Clarke said the match was played at a high level of intensity between two physical sides.
“It’s probably easy to look at the score and think that maybe it wasn’t much of a contest, but I think there was plenty of spirit in the game - particularly in that first half,” Clarke said.
“Broadbeach kept right in there and gave it to our boys right up until the end of the game.”
“It’s pleasing from our point of view because 12 months ago, that type of physicality might have worried us a little bit. These days, it seems to spurs us on to play better football. Our guys just seem to really enjoy winning together.”
Patrick Karnezis proved the standout with a scintillating display in the midfield.
“He was very good. He played in the midfield for the first time and performed the role with aplomb,” Clarke said.
“We threw him in the middle because we wanted to test him under a bit of duress and get him used to the hurly burly of the centre square. He was a really exciting find and continues to prove that he’s not just a one trick pony.”
“He finished with 33 touches and three goals - and didn’t spend a minute up forward. He also would’ve had the most clearances of any player on the ground. He just reads the game very well and has great anticipation.”
“Sam Docherty was also very good, particularly in the first half when he racked up 20-plus possessions. He was very composed and gave us plenty of speed once we were clear from congestion. He’ll become a very, very good young player.”
Clarke also praised the efforts of Western Magpies top-up players Scott Clarke and David Cummins.
“Scotty rucked for us against a guy called Mitch Brewer who is a big bloke with a strong body and did a good job, while Dave Cummins had the task of running with U21 gun Kieren Emery. These efforts certainly took some of the pressure off our listed boys.”
The Lions Reserves will now enjoy their second Bye in three weeks (to correspond with the senior team), before setting themselves for a tough double against the SUNS and Southport in consecutive weeks on the Gold Coast.
“As much as I talked up our professionalism before last week’s game, I admit that I was still a bit worried going into the game because you really don’t know how the team is going to respond to the break,” Clarke said.
“But booting seven unanswered goals proves that we’ve really matured as a group. Hopefully that’s the way we come out and play in a couple weeks’ time against the Gold Coast.”
FINAL SCORE
Brisbane Lions 24.15 (159) def Broadbeach 5.12 (42)
LIONS GOALS
Retzlaff 7, Lisle 6, Karnezis 3, Harvey 2, Buchanan, Wrigley, Saunders, Kitching, Sheldon, Beams.
LIONS BEST
Karnezis, Docherty, Stiller, J. Clarke, S. Clarke, Lisle
