The Gold Coast SUNS reserves side has kept its perfect start to 2015 alive, defeating the Brisbane Lions by six points in a NEAFL practice match at Metricon Stadium on Friday.
Despite featuring just 11 listed players to the Lions’ 17, the SUNS were able to come away with the chocolates in a match that shared plenty of similarities to the main game later in the night.
The game looked all but over with just five minutes remaining and the SUNS leading by 18 points in a relatively low-scoring affair. However, two quick goals from Brisbane brought the game back to one straight kick and with seconds remaining on the clock, the ball was delivered deep into the Lions forward line.
A frantic struggle for the football ensued, however Brisbane couldn’t get the goal they needed to level the scores as the final siren sounded to give Gold Coast a 10.7 (67) to 8.13 (61) victory.
The presence of key forward Tom Lynch was perhaps the difference between the two sides; the 22-year-old booting four goals in a commanding display in front of the big sticks. Rubbed out for round one due to suspension, coach Rodney Eade gave Lynch the night off senior duty and the Victorian responded in emphatic fashion in the curtain raiser
Fresh off 46 AFL goals in 2014, Lynch looked a class above at this level. One highlight was a second quarter goal where the #19 took a mark on the 50m mark, casually danced around an opponent and slotted the major from a difficult angle.
Lynch was ably assisted up forward by Tyrone Downie, who kicked two goals in another impressive display, and former Brisbane Lion and Magpie Anthony Corrie who also contributed two goals as a top-up player.
Rookie Josh Glenn looked to have the Sherrin on a string at times, racking up possessions at ease. He was well supported through the midfield by the likes of Andrew Boston and Louis Herbert, who had plenty of the footy themselves.
Two of the SUNS’ tall timber made their first appearances for 2015, with No. 8 draft pick Peter Wright and Sam Day pulling on the red and gold guernsey for the first time this season.
Wright lined up alongside Tom Lynch in what could be a glimpse of the future for the SUNS and will be better for the run, while Day floated across half-back and the ruck and became increasingly involved as the game wore on.
Gold Coast 3.3 4.5 7.6 10.7 (67)
Brisbane 2.1 5.7 6.9 8.13 (61)
Goals: Lynch 4, Downie 2, Corrie 2, Herbert, Mallan
Best: Glenn, Downie, Lynch, Day, Boston
