Reserves triumph over Redlands
A dominant third term set up the Brisbane Lions Reserves’ 36-point win over Redland at Victoria Point today.
Harwood and Green were solid four-quarter performers, but iced the Lions’ second straight win by lifting to new heights in the ‘premiership’ quarter.
After a free-wheeling opening quarter was tempered by a defensive slog in the second, the Lions lit up with a seven goal to two third term that determined the outcome.
The visitors won 18.14 (122) to 13.8 (86).
Harwood and Green provided a glut of ball to the forwards, where Cornelius tormented the defence after a slow start.
Josh Norman had his measure in the first term, but when Norman moved up the ground to relieve Adam Mueller for a spell on the sidelines, Cornelius took a strong mark opposed to Emmanuel Tupia and his confidence grew from that point.
Norman and Mueller both took turns at trying to limit his impact through the remainder of the game.
Mueller in particular did a good job against Bryce Retzlaff, although the tall centre-half-forward came into the game in the second half and finished with two goals.
Cornelius had the perfect foil in Patrick Karnezis at half-forward, who worked hard up and down the ground and capped a fine game with three goals.
While Harwood and Green were the midfield stars, they had outstanding support from Amon Buchanan, who was amongst the best on the ground for the second week in a row.
It was a good news day all round for the Lions, with Xavier Clarke getting through his first game little more than three months after undergoing the revolutionary LARS surgery for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
Clarke was not even eased through the contest, playing about 80 percent of game time and revelling in a sweeping role deep in defence.
Josh Drummond was not as prominent as last week in his second game back from knee and quad problems, but also got through safely.
Redland matched the Lions early with exciting full-forward Josh Pullman kicking three goals but having to work a long way down the ground for opportunities as the game wore on.