The Brisbane Lions have jumped up to second place on the NEAFL ladder after crushing the GIANTS by 96 points at South Pine Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions were just too good for the GIANTS fielding only 10 AFL-listed players, cruising to a 22.15 (147) to 7.9 (51) victory and ensuring that the GIANTS are still at the bottom of the ladder.

But the win has come at a big cost for the Lions, with midfielder Tom Bell stretchered off halfway through the last quarter.

It significantly dampened the mood on what was another fantastic performance by Brisbane.

Back in Round 8, it was only one point that separated the two sides but the GIANTS were no match for the Lions this time around.

Brisbane led from start to finish with Claye Beams kicking the first goal in the fourth minute, and were in control all game.

The GIANTS booted four of the last five goals to make the scoreboard more respectable.

The Lions were very damaging in front of goal with Liam Dawson and Jono Freeman finishing with five goals, and Matthew Hammelman with four.

In the middle, Ben Keays (31 disposals) and Corey Lyons (27 disposals) were damaging, and Sam Skinner was solid down back.

Hahn was pleased with the efforts of all players across the board, and their ability to bounce back from the injury crisis that is sweeping through the GIANTS this year.

“We wanted to put in a quality four-quarter effort, and we were able to do that for the majority of the time. There are some areas of the game we would’ve like to improved but overall we were pretty happy,” he said.

“The whole beauty of our team at the moment is that we are not relying on one player, we are relying on the 22 which is fantastic.”

“We have been through that period of what the GIANTS are going through right now, with six or seven listed players available last year, and it makes it very hard to develop and grow players.”

It was not all doom and gloom for the GIANTS, as Dawson Simpson was superb in the ruck with 31 hit-outs and 21 disposals.

Dylan Addison also provided a solid target up forward for the GIANTS with four goals. Jeremy Finlayson (26 disposals), Harry Perryman (24 disposals) and Will Setterfield – who was returning from injury -were also solid.

The GIANTS and the Lions will be both playing in Sydney next week, with the GIANTS hosting NT Thunder at Spotless Stadium.

For the Lions, they will take on third-placed Sydney University in what should be a thriller at Henson Park.

Brisbane Lions v GIANTS at South Pine Sports Complex

BRISBANE 4.5 10.10 16.12 22.15 (147)
GIANTS 0.1 1.3 3.7 7.9 (51)

GOALS – Brisbane: L Dawson 5 J Freeman 5 M Hammelmann 4 J Schache 2 M Close O McInerney C Beams C Lyons J Allison B Keays. GIANTS: D Addison 4 J Buckley 2 J Finlayson.