The Lions are one of only three teams yet to taste defeat in 2012 - along with Labrador (3-0) and Gold Coast (2-0).
Reserves Coach Nathan Clarke was pleased his team’s efforts against the Giants who fielded a relatively strong side featuring former Port Adelaide Premiership ruckman Dean Brogan and Western Bulldogs off-season signing Sam Reid.
“The match was not actually too dissimilar to the Broadbeach game last week, in that there was a distinct scoring end which we ended up kicking into in the first quarter,” Clarke said.
“We kicked the first goal into the breeze, but then the Giants seized control. But they missed a few chances and we were probably a fraction lucky not to have had four goals kicked on us early.”
“So we were pretty pleased to still be in the game at quarter time, and I feel like we controlled it from there - apart from a 5-6 minute period where they kicked three-in-a-row.”
“We probably didn’t make the most of our scoring opportunities - evident by the fact we finished with 15.19 - but it was a pretty solid performance.”
Regular forward Patrick Karnezis was credited as best-on-ground for his sweeping role across half-back.
“Patty had a lot of the footy,” Clarke said.
“He’s actually spent the last couple of weeks across half-back because we wanted him to get the footy in his hand. We had hoped to develop another string to his bow - and he’s certainly done that.”
“He reads the play so well that he was able to impact the contest. He’s also very elusive at ground level and has good skills.”
“Naturally he’s still a forward - there aren’t too many blokes with a natural goal sense like him. But it opens an option for him in the future to potentially play down back.”
Clarke was also very complimentary of Callum Bartlett and rookie Richard Newell who performed critical roles for the team.
“Cal did a great run-with role and shut-down young Miles from the Giants,” Clarke said.
“I think Gary O’Donnell summed him up perfectly when he labelled Bartlett as being a bit ‘feisty’.”
“Richie Newell was fairly tenacious himself, and is never afraid to show some aggression.”
Clarke said that he expects a number of his other Reserves midfielders to come under serious consideration at the senior selection table this week, considering Simon Black will be sidelined for the next 3-4 weeks.
“Ryan Harwood is an obvious choice given he has shown that he can play that inside midfielder role really well. Even though he’s been playing across half-back lately, he should be a good chance.”
“Josh Green is another one. Josh actually spent a little bit of time forward and kicked three goals against the Giants. He was very busy in our forward half and created all sorts of headaches because even though he's short, he’s quite capable overhead.”
“Sammy Sheldon also came back to the Reserves on the weekend and played in the midfield. He is another guy who probably has a good chance of going back up and playing with the senior team.”
Of the Club’s crop of 2011 draftees, Clarke said Patrick Wearden and Billy Longer were particularly noticeable.
“Wearden has started to find a fair bit of the footy and played one of his better games since coming to the Club,” Clarke said.
“His strength is his versatility and he’s a good competitor. He can play in most positions and always stays in the contest.”
“Billy had a good battle in the ruck against Dean Brogan - it would have been a great learning experience for him.”
“He is rucking really well. We’re just trying to work on how we can get him to have a greater impact around the ground. When he does get involved, he is great.”
Meanwhile, experienced defender Josh Drummond once again showed that he is close to a senior recall.
“Drummo got through again and is a really good chance to play this week at Subiaco. What he does is elite and has proven that he can play at that level. I’m sure the senior boys would love to have him running out of defence and pin-pointing some 60m daisy-cutters onto their chest.”
The Reserves will face one of the toughest tasks in the NEAFL when they head to Alice Springs this Saturday to play reigning Premiers NT Thunder.
“They got beaten by Southport in Alice Springs last week, so they’re certainly not invincible over there,” Clarke said.
“These are actually the games we look forward to. We have set ourselves a challenge. The boys have been as good as I’ve seen in the last few months with their spirit and how they’ve been as a group.”
“If we can get up, it will set up a pretty exciting clash against the Gold Coast Suns the following week.”
FINAL SCORE
Brisbane Lions 15.19 (109) d UWS Giants 12.9 (81)
LIONS GOALS
Cornelius 4, Retzlaff 3, Wearden, Hawksley, Green, Harwood, Newell, Longer, Drummond, Dyson
LIONS BEST
Karnezis, Newell, Bartlett, Hawksley, Retzlaff, Wearden
