After claiming last year’s wooden spoon, the Brisbane Lions Reserves are through to the 2012 NEAFL Grand Final courtesy of 34-point win over NT Thunder at a humid Palmerston tonight.
The 17.10 (112) to 11.12 (78) victory was the Lions' second over their northern counterparts this year; something that’s sure to weigh heavily on the minds of the reigning premiers should the sides meet again in a fortnight.
For that scenario to eventuate, NT will have to knock off the winner of tomorrow’s second semi-final between Redlands and Southport next week to progress to the September 15 Grand Final.
Brisbane entered the match as heavy underdogs against an NT outfit undefeated in Darwin for 25 matches and seeking to post a club record eleventh consecutive win.
But it was clear from the opening minutes- when livewire Todd Banfield snagged the first goal of the game that the visitors were going to mount a serious challenge.
The teams booted three goals apiece in the opening term, NT holding sway by a point at quarter time.
Brisbane came out firing in the second quarter, gaining the ascendancy through the midfield and on the scoreboard.
The Lions kicked seven goals to four in the second stanza, including a couple of absolute pearlers in quick succession midway through the quarter.
First, Jared Polec roosted a booming major on the run from outside the 50-metre arc after an end-to-end play started by skipper Cheynee Stiller in the back pocket.
Soon after, Patty Karnezis snapped a six-pointer under very heavy duress from deep in the forward pocket to stretch his team’s lead to three goals.
The half-time margin was 19 points, and in stark contrast to last week’s comeback win against Southport, Brisbane had all the running at the long break.
The Lions maintained control in the third term, kicking three goals to one to hold a convincing five goal ascendancy at the final change.
19-year-old rookie Sam Michael had his best game of the year against the Sharks last week, and his third quarter form was in the same vein.
Michael kicked two goals, set up another, and snared several contested grabs in a dominant half-hour.
Goals to Cal Bartlett and Karnezis’ second at the beginning of the final term blew the lead beyond 40 points, effectively putting the result beyond doubt.
NT staged a mini-fight back midway through the quarter, but the Lions responded with the last three majors of the game to seal the win.
Brisbane had contributors across the board, with standouts all over the park.
Bartlett was at his bullocking best, kicking three goals and throwing himself headfirst into packs all night.
Aaron Cornelius (4 goals, 9 inside 50s, 10 marks) was electric up forward, along with Todd Banfield (2 goals). Billy Longer was lionhearted, shouldering the bulk of the rucking responsibility and outpointing Kenrick Tyrell the big man widely considered the competition’s best.
Jack Crisp showed why he’s spent a good chunk of the year in the senior team, tallying 22 touches and a team-high ten tackles. First-round draft pick Jared Polec also impressed with 20 possessions, five inside 50s, and a goal, as did Karnezis (29 disposals, 2 goals).
But it was the defensive trio of Cheynee Stiller, Steve Wrigley and Justin Clarke who ensured the result; smothering NT’s much-vaunted forward line and sparking wave after wave of attacking opportunities.
Clarke restricted Thunder spearhead Darren Ewing to a solitary goal, while Wrigley and Stiller collected 27 and 26 touches respectively.
