Lions forward feasts, new Sun threatens in goal-fest
Murray Wenzel |
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Jed Walter teased for Gold Coast but Logan Morris delivered as two-time defending AFL champions Brisbane prevailed in a Springfield shoot-out.
A near full-strength Suns started hot in Thursday’s final preseason clash before next week’s Opening Round matches but the hosts rallied to win 19.12 (126) to 11.11 (101).
Hulking Suns forward Walter (two goals, five marks) took two strong first-quarter marks and roosted one major from well outside the arc before his influence waned in the second half.
The 20-year-old may have undone his good work though, on report for a high shot on young Lion Zane Zakostelsky that could see him miss the Suns’ opener against Geelong next Friday.
Western Bulldogs pick-up Ugle-Hagan, who didn’t play at all last season as he dealt with off-field issues, kicked two goals and had a string of impactful touches around goal without sticking one of many big marking attempts.
Lions young gun Logan Morris (four goals) took the spoils though, dominating in his battle with Mac Andrew, who gave away two 50-metre penalties for back chat.
Suns dynamo Leo Lombard – badly injured in the corresponding game last year after a shoulder-charge gone wrong – finished with three goals, including a brilliant effort from the boundary with the last play of the game.
“We got through what we wanted … minuted into guys against a hardened opposition,” Suns assistant Shaun Grigg said.
“He (Ugle-Hagan) hasn’t played footy for over 400 days. To fit into our system, get used to our ball movement … we’re thrilled with the work he’s done.”
Brisbane A-listers Cam Rayner, Dayne Zorko and Harris Andrews all sat out the clash while Oscar Allen and Ryan Lester missed the contest with concussions sustained last week.
In their absence fit-again pair Keidean Coleman and Lincoln McCarthy impressed to give coach Chris Fagan welcome headaches ahead of next Saturday’s date with the Bulldogs at the Gabba.
Coleman, who played just one AFL game last season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the first game of the 2024 season, was prolific and incisive through the engine room.
McCarthy, coming off back-to-back ACL tears, showed his versatility at halfback before sneaking forward to his traditional role and kicking two goals.
Defender Noah Answerth played in a VFL preseason match earlier on Thursday in his comeback from an Achilles tear while Rayner (leg) completed a solo training session and will be fit to face the Bulldogs.
“He’s shown he’s got great flexibility for us … he’s trained a fair bit as a half back but we know how much he adds value (up front),” Lions assistant Cam Bruce said of McCarthy.
“Tonight proved it’s going to be a tough selection.”
Lachie Neale racked up a game-high 31 touches and 10 clearances for Brisbane while Hugh McCluggage kicked a brilliant goal but didn’t play the second half after corking his left calf.
Zac Bailey (25 disposals, two goals) was in typical form while Charlie Cameron (two goals, 18 touches) looked sharp, bursting out of traffic in combination with Morris and emerging Lions forward Ty Gallop (two goals), who waged war with Sam Collins.
Suns captain Noah Anderson raced out of the centre square to kick the game’s first goal in less than a minute but had his minutes managed.
New midfield partner Christian Petracca (24 touches, nine clearances) was explosive in the first quarter, breaking tackles at will.
Teenage Lions tall Cody Curtin made an impression, bouncing back from a brutal mid-air collision to narrowly miss a long set-shot goal and then nail a terrific chase-down tackle of Suns star Daniel Rioli.
AAP