The Brisbane Lions reserves displayed some good form early and plenty of fight late, but their inability to follow instructions proved their downfall in a 10-point loss to Broadbeach at Merrimac Oval on Sunday.

“The big thing out of today was the discipline,” Reserves Coach Craig McRae said afterwards.

“We had a pretty simple game plan. It wasn’t too complicated and we failed it at crucial times.”

The Lions booted the first five goals of the game to lead by 28 points deep in time-on of the first term but conceded 13 of the next 17 goals. The Lions then kicked the last three goals of the match in the 13.10 (88) to 12.6 (78) defeat.

The early blitz was set-up by hard-running off the backline and through the middle.

While Broc McAuley dominated the hit-outs, Broadbeach sharked every centre clearance in the opening term, mostly through zippy skipper Dayne Zorko.

The Lions created good overlap from half-back with Tom Collier and Pearce Hanley busy, while Aaron Cornelius providing a strong target up forward with two early goals and an assist.

Weight of numbers eventually told, however, and Broadbeach got back into the game with three goals in the last three minutes.

The second quarter was a more even affair with midfielders Callum Bartlett and Claye Beams coming into the game strongly and McAuley doing plenty of good work in defence and through the midfield.

Niall McKeever spoiled effectively in defence and the Lions were able to maintain their two-goal advantage at half time.

That was erased within the first six minutes of the third term when the Cats kicked three quick goals, including a 50m snap by Zorko.

The Lions assigned Troy Selwood, who had been his typically busy self in the first half, to lock down on Zorko through the remainder of the quarter, which he did.

McKeever and Collier continued to work overtime in defence, while Bartlett was brilliant in patches, Beams continued to work hard and Ryan Harwood threw his body fearlessly into packs.

Tiernan Carbry, one of six top-up players, kicked a nice angle goal at the 24-minute mark of the third term, breaking a 38-minute goal drought for the Lions.

It was the only goal they could generate from halfway through the second quarter until until midway through the last term.

Broadbeach broke the game open with three unanswered goals in the opening 10 minutes of the fourth quarter to open a 25-point gap, before the Lions’ ability to keep running saw them generate some late opportunities.

Twice they had chances to close the gap to one kick, but some fierce tackling and two holding the ball decisions against the Lions close to goal condemned them to their third loss in four matches.

“The whole thing of this group is not about winning. As much as you want to win and I hate losing as much as anyone, it’s about preparing these guys to play AFL footy,” McRae said.

“There’s certain things I saw today, the discipline wasn’t there in what we instructed. There’s elements of that you won’t get away with in AFL footy."

“I haven’t looked at the ladder, it’s only Round 3. That will take care of itself."

“We’ve dropped away in certain areas of our preparation and you can see it. We’ve got to get better in certain areas."

“There’s more in the group than what they’re showing at the moment and as the coach it’s your job to get the best out of them.”

While disappointed with the way in which the side played in general, McRae nonetheless still sees plenty of promise there.

Bartlett looked a genuinely bright prospect in his second game for the club.

“He’s exciting isn’t he?” McRae said. “Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of upside (to this team)."

“Tom Collier was back in form today, Pearce Hanley continued his good form and you have an Irishman Niall McKeever, who you are trying to teach defensive discipline, and he was fantastic."

“Broc McCauley continued to show he may make it as a ruckman at AFL level - he has a long way to go, but…he’s doing a lot right.”

The Lions were also able to get some valuable match time in Bart McCulloch, Bryce Retzlaff and Sam Sheldon who all returned from injury for their first hitout of the year.  

SCOREBOARD

Broadbeach         3.2   6.3   10.6   13.10 (88)
Lions Reserves   5.0   8.3   9.4     12.6 (78)

GOALS - Cats: M. Cooke 5, L. Moss 2, T. Rolfe , D. Zorko , N. Lyons , T. Nicholls , T. Haley , G. Ryan. Lions: A. Pirika 2, B. McCauley 2, A. Cornelius 2, C. Bartlett , M. Austin , C. Beams , R. Harwood , A. Kitching , B. McNiece.

BEST - Cats: D. Zorko, J. Searl, D. Stewart, M. Cooke, N. Lyons, M Brewer. Lions: N. McKeever, A. Cornelius, R. Harwood, T. Selwood, A. Spackman, T. Collier