An early case of stage fright proved fatal for
They were still in the game despite trailing by 19 points at halftime because the Lions had their leading goalkicker Mitchell Clark (groin), ballwinner Marcus Allan (badly corked thigh), and forward Haydn Kiel (dislocated shoulder) on the bench.
But the young Suncoast played some brilliant football after the break, blasting six goals in the last 15 minutes of the third term and careering away to a 16.13 (109)-7.19 (61).
Decorated Lion Chris Scott started the game in his track suit, playing solely in the second half.
With
Shattock got plenty of the ball early, as did centreman Matt Witherden, but a series of set shots from 30-40m sprayed wide.
In contrast, the Lions were efficient early, with Cameron Wood taking a soaring goalsquare mark and Stanis Susave pouncing close to goal.
Susave was one of three Papua New Guinean teenagers in the side, and each had a profound influence on the result.
Allan had a big collision with Russell Alleway that left both reeling late in the term, and the Lion’s day was over.
“They set up with the loose man, but we thought we’d keep it that way because of our lack of marking targets in the forward line with the young players we had down there,” Leppitsch said.
It proved a master stroke, because his team’s run-at-all-costs mindset proved too much for the Tigers.
Leppitsch was quick to add that his young players had played a key part in the victory.
“We had to give the young kids some responsibility because of who we had lost,” Leppitsch said. “We rotated some of them through the middle and they did really well.
“The PNG kids in particular were very good and the pressure they applied was excellent.”
Susave, who made his AFLQ debut with Zillmere earlier this year but has been in the reserves for several weeks, kicked two early goals as one of the Lions’ top up players.
Ali Pinda was lively in the midfield, and the one-touch skills of John James left his opponents breathless with three quality second half goals.
Scott lined up on a half forward flank to start the second half and took a strong mark within 12 seconds, but was limited to six possessions as the ball often traveled through the other flank.
They received a major blow themselves when Featherstone was KO’d in a head clash, and after four more bad misses, the Lions struck.
Irishman Colm Begley had a purple patch and with great support from Albert Proud and the elusive Matt Moody, inspired the goal rush.
Suncoast also received enormous drive from half-back, where Daniel Dzufer and Richard Hadley were superb.
Dzufer was given the run around by Corey Munson in the first term, and could have had three goals instead of behinds kicked on him.
But he was like a man possessed from quarter time when released from the full-back job, constantly running down the ground to create, and booting three goals from defence.
Hadley collected 22 possessions in the second half and finished with 36 in a display that must have him in strong consideration for senior selection.
Scott Clouston was also outstanding in the last line of defence, as was top up player Justin Myers, who was good enough to be recognized by the coaching staff in the best player list.
Doyle kicked
“We really could have set the game up in the first quarter and got a real spark going,” lamented
The Lions have now moved into third place on the premiership table and are firming all the time to grab a double chance at finals time.
The victory also made it three wins from three games for Leppitsch in the coaches box, with regular mentor Craig Brittain on recruiting duties in
Suncoast remain unbeaten at the Gabba with the victory, where they are yet to be seriously challenged in 2007.
Scoreboard:
Suncoast Lions, 2.2, 6.9, 13.12, 16.13 (109)
Goals, Suncoast: J James 3, A Proud 3, D Dzufer 3,
2, M Moody, B Weightman, J Neumann 1.
Best, Suncoast: M Moody, R Hadley, D Dzufer, A Proud, C Begley, J Myers.
Premiership Table:
TEAM P W L D For Ag PC Pts
Mt Gravatt 14 10 4 0 1488 1042 142.8 40
Morningside 14 10 4 0 1514 1088 139.1 40
Suncoast 14 9 5 0 1496 1129 132.5 36
Broadbeach 14 6 8 0 1091 1345 81.1 24
Eagles 14 4 10 0 1313 1566 83.8 16
Redland 14 0 14 0 919 1988 46.2 0
