The Lions Reserves have fallen agonizingly short of victory against the Suns at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon, going down 14.15 (99) – 15.6 (97) in an entertaining shootout.

A running goal to Josh Walker from 50m and a free kick in the goalsquare to Jono Freeman tied the scores midway through the last, but the Lions couldn’t force a score for the remainder of the quarter as the Suns edged ahead in time on with behinds to Jesse Lonergan and Cameron Loersch.

Claye Beams powered the engine room for the Lions with 26 disposals and 7 marks, whilst Josh Walker snagged 4 goals in perfect conditions for footy in this year’s third iteration of the 2Clash.

The Suns' hard running in the first quarter was trumped in the second term, as the Lions booted five to take an 11-point lead into the half time break.

Archie Smith had a chance to kick one of the goals of the season, gathering the ball in the forward pocket before showing incredible agility for a man of 200cm, pirouetting around his opponent and running towards goal, but was bundled into the goalpost as he kicked and the ball trickled through for a behind.

The teams went goal for goal in the third quarter, before ill-discipline and poor checking from the Lions in the last few minutes saw the Suns kick 2.5 and head into the final term a goal ahead.

Josh Walker had plenty of help up forward, the Lions sharing the load with 10 goalkickers on the scoresheet.

Jackson Paine played an integral cog in the Lions backline, finishing with 26 disposals and 8 marks, kick-starting several counter-attacks from deep in defence.

Both sides regained draft prospects from the Allies U18s, Sun Brad Scheer the standout with 24 disposals, whilst Jack Rolls (14 disposals, 2 goals) and Jacob Allison (13 disposals) acquitted themselves nicely for the Lions.

Highly touted as a potential top five selection, Jack Bowes showed his promise with 19 disposals and 7 tackles for the Gold Coast.

Nick Robertson (25 disposals, 1 goal) and Josh Clayton (24 disposals, 7 tackles, 1 goal) were major ball-winners, whilst Liam Dawson (15 disposals, 9 tackles) chipped in with a handy 2 goals.

Archie Smith and Trent West rucked well in tandem and beat the Suns in hit-outs 55-38.

Ben Keays marked his return from a good run in the seniors with 6 kicks, 18 handballs and a goal.

Jesse Lonergan was the standout for the Gold Coast with 35 disposals, whilst top up Isaac Franks was instrumental with 4 majors.

The Lions will hope to go one better next week as they take on the WSU Giants on Saturday at Coorparoo.

NEAFL SUNS    4.3     6.6    12.11    14.15 (99)
NEAFL LIONS   3.1     8.5     12.5    15.7 (97)

GOALS
Suns: Franks 4, Hallahan 2, Grant 2, Davidson 2, Williams 2, Bowes, O’Meara
Lions: Walker 4, Rolls 2, Dawson 2, Freeman, Clayton, Close, Keays, Robertson, Smith, Watts

BEST
Suns: Lonergan, Hallahan, Tape, Brooksby, Scheer, Franks
Lions: C Beams, Paine, Robertson, Walker, Clayton, Dawson

Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast