A poor opening term in which they were jumped by arch rivals Gold Coast proved fatal for the Brisbane Lions Reserves at Southport on Saturday.
The Lions trailed by 33 points at the first change and lost by 40 at the finish although they were never really in the contest.
It was easily the side’s worst performance of the season and came on top of successive impressive victories.
Compounding a disappointing day was an upper leg injury to Xavier Clarke in the opening term.
Gold Coast were clearly ‘up’ for the contest and smashed the Lions at the clearances throughout the opening term.
They bounced out of the blocks through Harley Bennell, who was sheer class with everything he touched, Jacob Gilbee, Dion Prestia and Marc Lock.
Rhys Magin kicked three of the five goals, with the Lions struggling to find the right match-up for him.
Young ruckman Tom Nicholls won the hit-outs in the first term against Broc McCauley before the big Lion hit back in the second term, providing a mobile target and kicking a goal to kick-start a mini revival.
Having trailed by 47 points, the Lions kicked the last three goals of the second term to get back to 9.8 to 5.4 at halftime.
Aaron Cornelius, starved of the ball up forward, was moved to defence in the second term and repelled a number of attacks.
Magin continued to bob up although he blotted his copybook with three misses in the second term against the close checking of third opponent Jack Parkes.
The Suns were always going to be difficult to reel in considering they required only four top-up players and the Lions six.
In particular, the Lions were missing in-form tall utility Niall McKeever, who was walking around with his hamstring heavily strapped.
Their best player for the season to date Josh Green was absent as emergency cover for Luke Power in the senior game.
The only omission to the Suns’ line-up was Nathan Ablett, who woke up feeling ill on match day.
The Suns had too many prime movers in the midfield, and with Lion Ryan Harwood having less impact than in recent weeks, the Suns added four goals to one in the third quarter to put the result beyond doubt.
The home side sprayed a wasteful 1.8 in the final term and allowed the Lions to boot the last three goals and make the scoreboard was respectable than it might have been.
The Suns won 14.19 (103) to 9.9 (63).
Magin finished with just the three goals, being well-held by Parkes, while Hayden Jolly capped a fine game with three and Gilbee got two.
Cornelius pinch hit at both ends of the ground in the second half and kicked two goals, as did young top-up player Jack Fox.
The Suns finished full of running despite the absence of Rex Liddy and Lock after halftime.
They were best served by Nicholls, who was extra strong in the second half, Steven May in defence, and Maverick Weller.
Former Port Douglas boy Lewis Moss played his best game for the club, being clean and quick, while Roland Ah Chee did a terrific job down back on the in-form Amon Buchanan.
Matt Austin was the only listed player with whom the Lions coaching staff were satisfied with, putting his head over the ball all day.
Parkes earned plaudits for his lock-down job, while fellow Western Magpies top-up Matt Dillon also performed strongly in defence.
The loss saw the Lions slip out of the top five, replaced by Redland, who had a huge 104-point win over Broadbeach.
Former Lion Rhan Hooper was relegated to the Cats reserves before the game.
It was a better weekend for another old Lion Robbie Copeland, who was close to best afield - again - in Aspley’s surprise 22-point win over Morningside.
That result set up the unthinkable - a Sunday clash next week between Morningside and Southport at Esplen Oval for the wooden spoon spot.
The Lions meet the Kevin Sheedy-coached Greater Western Sydney Giants at Coorparoo, with doubts over whether Israel Folau will make the trip after missing last weekend.
Scoreboard:
Gold Coast Suns Reserves: 5.5, 9.8, 13.11, 14.19 (103)
Brisbane Lions Reserves: 0.2, 5.4, 6.5, 9.9 (63)
Goals - Suns: A. Magin 3, J. Gillbee 2, H. Jolly 2, H. Bennell , M. Fowler , M. Weller , T. Nicholls , M. Lock , S. May , R. Court. Lions: J. Fox 2, A. Cornelius 2, M. Green , A. Buchanan , R. Newell , P. Karnezis , B. McCauley.
Best - Suns: T. Nicholls, D. Prestia, J. Stanley, H. Bennell, M. Weller, T. Hine. Lions: M. Austin, M. Dillon, J. Parkes.
