Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast SUNS Review
By Sam Canavan
The Brisbane Lions reserves continued their undefeated start to the 2013 season, trumping Gold Coast by 32 points in an historic ANZAC day clash at Harrup Park in Mackay on Thursday. The 17.9.111 to 12 .7.79 victory moves Brisbane a game clear at the top of the NEAFL standings, with a stratospheric percentage of 207.41%, while the Suns slip to 2-3, and outside the top five.
After Gold Coast won two of the sides’ three matches last year – becoming the only team to best the cross-conference premiers twice – the Lions have now won their last two against ‘baby brother.’ In round four Brisbane crushed an injury-ravaged Gold Coast by 110 points at Metricon Stadium, and Thursday’s win struck another mental blow for the Lions, with a brace of games still to come against the Gold-Coasters this year (rounds 11 and 16.)
Under blue skies in front of a crowd of more than 3000, the Lions, in particular Jordan Lisle, came out firing in the inaugural NEAFL match played on April 25. After the impressive Jacob Gilbee snagged the first of his four goals for the Suns, Lisle took control. Benefitting from silver service from the boot of Simon Black, as well as a strong breeze in the direction Brisbane was heading, Lisle marked four times on the lead in the first stanza, and converted four goals to give his side a 13-point ascendancy at quarter time.
With the sizeable breeze behind them, the Suns were expected to fare better in the second term, and so it proved, as they got to within one point of the lead early in the quarter. But Brisbane belied the wind in the lead-up to half-time, kicking five goals and holding sway by 25 points at the long break.
The second half was a closely-fought affair, but as gallantly as they fought the Suns couldn’t bridge the gap, Brisbane kicking seven second-half goals to six and winning by the eventual 32 points.
Captain Lisle was head and shoulders above any other forward on the ground; finding space time and time again close to goal, and making the most of his opportunities. At one point ‘moose’ looked set for goal scoring double figures (he had seven majors after seven minutes of the third term), but he eventually finished with eight goals - double the amount of Gilbee, the next highest scorer on the ground. Superstar Simon Black was also a class above through the midfield, firing out his trademark deft handballs and delivering devastatingly by foot all afternoon. Rookie Nick Hayes impressed for the second week in a row, while the hard-running Richard Newell continued his good form with a raft of high-quality possessions and two goals within as many minutes in the second quarter. Youngster Josh Stiller and Andrew Ireland medallist Sam Michael were two more shining lights for the Lions, while both Brent Staker and Jesse O’Brien did some good things as they continue on the comeback trail.
Suns coach Shaun Hart will take solace from his side’s much-improved showing against Brisbane, with Gold Coast’s second-half strength particularly pleasing considering its capitulation late against the Lions a fortnight ago. There were also some individual performances to bring a smile to the coach’s face. Daniel Gorringe battled manfully in the ruck all day and snagged a brace of six-pointers, Jesse Lonergan also kicked two goals and was prominent through the centre, and Jackson Allen added a lot of rebound from half-back. Tom Nicholls and Jack Martin worked their way into the match in encouraging returns from injury, while Gilbee was the Suns’ most effective forward.
Last Modified on 29/04/2013 12:29