Lions burn Suns to extend AFL run
Ed Jackson |
Injury-hit Brisbane have moved to second on the AFL ladder, extending their winning run to eight with a 28-point victory over Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Saturday.
Forced to play Eric Hipwood in defence with Harris Andrews (concussion) and Darragh Joyce (jaw) joining a stack of defenders on the sidelines, the Lions were still able to secure a hard-fought 13.15 (93) to 9.11 (65) win over their Queensland rivals.
The Suns’ first home loss of the season may also prove terminal in their bid to make finals, slumping to a 9-10 record before a trip to Perth next weekend to face West Coast.
Lions’ skipper Dayne Zorko, who relishes contests against the Suns, racked up 32 disposals, 12 marks, nine score involvements and 550 metres gained to be awarded the Marcus Ashcroft medal as best on ground for the second time this season.
After a quiet game against Sydney last week, dual Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale bounced back with 35 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal.
Cam Rayner continued his recent fantastic form with two goals and 25 disposals while Hugh McCluggage, Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron also had two apiece for the Lions.
The Suns only multiple goalkicker was Malcolm Rosas with two majors, while Ben King was again wasteful finishing with 1.3 after his goalless outing last weekend against GWS.
Sam Flanders was arguably the Suns’ best, picking up 33 disposals, seven clearances and 444 metres gained as well as a goal.
The Suns had the chance to get off to a perfect start but failed to convert as the Lions pounced to kick the first two goals of the match.
King and Daniher were both guilty of missing gettable shots before Nick Holman converted a 50m penalty to put the hosts in front for the first time in the game late in the quarter.
Daniher’s first of the evening however ensured it was the Lions holding a two-point lead at halftime.
The second quarter continued with both teams trading goals before the Lions took control in the back end of the term.
Back-to-back goals by Rayner and Zac Bailey put the Lions ahead by over two goals for the first time and the visitors went into the dressing sheds up by 17 points at the main break.
King finally ended his run of shots without a goal in the third quarter, finishing well after taking a strong mark on the back of Ryan Lester.
Hipwood was back in more-familiar settings finishing off a 50m penalty before Bailey Humphrey was guilty of missing three decent opportunities in as many minutes.
The Lions again punished the hosts for their wastefulness, with Cameron’s second of the night ensuring they held a three-goal advantage going into the final quarter.
Matt Rowell’s finish with less than eight minutes to play got the hosts within eight but again Brisbane steadied and Kai Lohmann’s crumbing effort secured the points for the Lions before Neale and Josh Dunkley added some late gloss to the scoreboard.
AAP
