The Brisbane Lions have scrapped their way to a two-point win over Gold Coast SUNS in a NAB Cup slog-fest at a sodden Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
Continuing a familiar trend in the opening round of the NAB Cup, the Lions, GC SUNS and Melbourne all ended the night with 1-1 records on a tough night for football on the Gold Coast.
Unlucky losers after dominating in most areas in a three-point loss to the Demons in their first game, the Lions got some reward for their effort in a 0.2.6 (18) to 0.2.4 (16) victory over their Queensland rivals.
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The GC SUNS had the opportunity to snatch victory late in the second half, but Liam Patrick was unsuccessful with two late set shots - including one that sailed out of bounds on the full - as the Lions hung on.
Jonathan Brown wasn't able to have much impact on the night, but managed to get through both games unscathed as he regains some touch after a terrible recent run with injuries.
Young midfielders James Hawksley and Ryan Harwood led the way for the Lions, with Harwood and Ryan Lester their only goalkickers.
For the GC SUNS, Aaron Hall continued a break-out evening, the 21-year-old mature-age recruit following up his stellar first effort in a win over Melbourne with another strong performance in the later game.
Fellow youngsters Dion Prestia and Daniel Gorringe also contributed for the home side.
While the young GC SUNS fell short in their second outing, they did show the benefits of another pre-season in the gym, matching it in the pressure and tackling stakes in both games despite the heavy track.
Making Gold Coast's effort all the more meritorious, Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli and Josh Fraser were among those rested for the second match.
On an extremely difficult night for football, only 14 goals were kicked in total across the three games.
Karmichael Hunt seemed to relish the conditions more in the second match, having an influence before he was subbed off at halftime.
The trimmed-down Hunt is being used in the midfield and while he was barely sighted in game one, he showed some good clearance work and managed to send the ball forward a number of times early on against the Lions.
Billy Longer, pick No. 8 in last year's NAB AFL national draft, showed some solid tap work in the ruck for the Lions.
Gold Coast SUNS youngster Jaeger O'Meara, rated among the best teenage talents in the country, demonstrated his enormous potential on the night, while Nathan Bock also showed some prowess as a forward across both matches.
Brisbane Lions 0.1.4 0.2.6 (18)
Gold Coast SUNS 0.1.1 0.2.4 (16)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Lester, Harwood
Gold Coast SUNS: Bock, Bennell
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Harwood, Hawksley, Lisle, Polec, Redden, Rockliff
Gold Coast SUNS: Hall, Gorringe, Brown, Prestia, Swallow, Bennell
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Gold Coast SUNS: Nil
Reports: Nil
Official crowd: 5150 at Metricon Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
