The all-conquering Brisbane Lions Reserves secured arguably their biggest scalp of the 2012 NEAFL season last Saturday by defeating the Sydney Swans by 19 points at the SCG.

Not only was it the first time the Lions have tasted victory against the Swans in the reserve grade, but it proved an almost 30-goal turnaround from their previous meeting in Sydney last year.

But among the obvious elation, Reserves Coach Nathan Clarke remained measured about his team’s performance.

“It was a really good win, but I certainly felt a sense of relief afterwards,” Clarke said.

“We probably didn’t play as well as I would’ve hoped in certain areas. One obvious downside was that we didn’t kick straight.”

“It wasn’t really until halfway through second quarter that we clicked into gear a bit.”

“We also conceded a few goals with some costly errors. At one stage we had seven players in our forward line and no wingman, which helped the Swans kick a pretty easy goal from the centre bounce.”

“I also have to acknowledge that Sydney were a bit undermanned and had a few of their better players out. Nathan Gordon was suspended, Mitch Morton was out, and they lost Mark Seaby early. If they'd had an extra couple of listed players, they might have gotten a real jump on us.” 

Clarke was still delighted with how his players responded to an intense level of pressure from a quality NEAFL opponent.

“Our guys adapted to the pressure - that was the most pleasing thing for the day,” Clarke said.

“The Swans kicked four goals to nothing in first 15 minutes of the game and gave us a real lesson in intensity. Our guys were being tested for the first time in a while, and were able to adapt and regain control of the contest.”

“It was particularly evident in some of our first year guys. Sam Docherty, for example, had a first half that he would probably rather forget. But to his credit, he bounced back well.”

Clarke listed a number of individuals who contributed greatly towards the win.

“James Hawksley played as a high half-forward, kicked three goals and was everywhere,” Clarke said.

“Jordan Lisle played a similar role, and had he kicked straight, he could have finished with three or four goals himself.”

“Amon (Buchanan) was very good for us, as was Richard Newell who’s had a really good month. Richie does a lot of grunt work for us which people don’t necessarily see. He’s vital to our defence, even though he doesn’t play there.”

“Justin Clarke had a good battle with Tommy Walsh, and Steve Wrigley did a good job on Trent Dennis-Lane.”

“Aaron Cornelius was great offensively, and ended up botting six goals from 12 shots.”

FINAL SCORE

Brisbane Lions Reserves  1.6   8.6    12.12    17.20 (122)
Sydney Swans Reserves    4.3   7.4    13.4      16.7 (103)

LIONS GOALS
Cornelius 6, Hawksley 3, Newell 2, Fox 2, Docherty, Lisle, Pendlebury , O’Brien

LIONS BEST
Hawksley, Wrigley, Lisle, Newell, Cornelius, Clarke