While the crowd at Giffin Park on Sunday can’t compare to that athletics audience, the Brisbane Lions Reserves’ win was unequivocally Bolt-like.
Like the big Jamaican, the Lions got out of the blocks a little slow, but improved as the contest wore on and ultimately ran over the top of their rivals to win convincingly.
Brisbane were ahead by just nine points at half-time against Redlands, but a blistering twelve-goal burst in the third quarter paved the way for the eventual 93-point win.
Coach Nathan Clarke was pleased with the way his troops worked their way in front and went on with the job after the even opening.
“Redlands’ effort in the first half was excellent and put us under a lot of pressure, we bumbled and fumbled our way through that first half at times too,” explains Clarke.
“But it was really pleasing that we kept working and played a lot better in the second half.
“We got on top in clearances and started to look really energetic at centre bounces; our ball movement really clicked in to gear, and we started to use it really well. It was a much more polished performance in the end.”
As Usain Bolt’s form was questioned after losses to Yohan Blake at the National Championships, so too was the Lions Reserves’ after a defeat on the Gold Coast and a scrappy performance against Mt Gravatt.
Bolt labelled his losses the ‘wake-up calls he needed’ to refocus and get his head back together before the Games, and there’s no doubt Brisbane used the setback against the Suns as extra motivation to round off the season strongly.
Nathan Clarke reckons his charges have put their flat fortnight behind them, and are back to their best.
“People underestimate that we’re a young group, so we’re probably entitled to having a down few weeks; the guys are bound to be a bit off,” Clarke says.
“But I certainly think this is a return to form. I just sensed from Friday’s training session; the boys really had spark back in their eyes, the energy was right back up. The sun’s a touch warmer, it’s coming up to spring, and everybody’s feeling good.”
While the fastest man in the world announced he’ll be holidaying down under next month, there’ll be no Lions Reserves taking it easy in September.
Clarke says sealing top spot and ensuring an easier ride through the finals is a big priority.
“We’re very focussed on beating Sydney in a couple of weeks and making sure we finish first,” Clarke explains.
“We know NT in particular will be really challenging come September, but if we finish top we’ll give ourselves a really good chance of winning the whole comp.”
