God Coast SUNS 5.5 9.8 13.11 14.19.103
Brisbane Lions 0.2 5.4 6.5 9.9.63
Gold Coast SUNS
Goal Kickers: A. Magin 3, J. Gillbee 2, H. Jolly 2, H. Bennell , M. Fowler , M. Weller , T. Nicholls , M. Lock , S. May , R. Court
Best Players: T. Nicholls, D. Prestia, J. Stanley, H. Bennell, M. Weller, T. Hine
Brisbane Lions
Goal Kickers: J. Fox 2, A. Cornelius 2, M. Green , A. Buchanan , R. Newell , P. Karnezis , B. McCaulay
Best Players: M. Austin, M. Dillon, J. Parkes
A dynamic first quarter featuring total domination of the midfield and an unstoppable Alik Magin set up the Gold Coast SUNS Reserves’ fourth consecutive win in the NEAFL northern conference today.
The GC SUNS booted 5.5 to 0.2 against a hapless Brisbane Lions Reserves and were rarely threatened thereafter, winning by 40 points.
They bounced out of the blocks through Harley Bennell, who was sheer class with everything he touched, Jacob Gilbee, Dion Prestia and Marc Lock.
Magin kicked three of the five goals, with the Lions struggling to find the right match-up for him.
Young ruckman Tom Nicholls won the hit-outs in the first term against Broc McCauley, who was a stunning omission from the Lions seniors considering his good form.
McCauley was not disgraced and hit back in the second term, providing a mobile target and kicking a goal to kick-start a mini revival.
Trailing by 47 points, the Lions kicked the last three goals of the second term to get back to 9.8 to 5.4 at halftime.
Aaron Cornelius, starved of the ball up forward, was moved to defence in the second term and repelled a number of attacks.
Magin continued to bob up although he blotted his copybook with three misses in the second term.
The GC SUNS were always going to be difficult to reel in considering they required only four top-up players and the Lions six.
In particular, the Lions were missing in-form tall utility Niall McKeever, who was walking around with his hamstring heavily strapped, and likewise Xavier Clarke.
The only omission to the GC SUNS line-up was Nathan Ablett, who woke up feeling ill on match day.
The GC SUNS had too many prime movers in the midfield, and with Lion Ryan Harwood having less impact than in recent weeks, the Suns added four goals to one to put the result beyond doubt.
The home side sprayed a wasteful 1.8 in the final term and allowed the Lions to boot the last three goals and make the scoreboard was respectable than it might have been.
The GC SUNS won 14.19 (103) to 9.9 (63).
Magin finished with just the three goals, while Hayden Jolly capped a fine game with three and Gilbee got two.
Cornelius pinch hit at both ends of the ground in the second half and kicked two goals, as did young top-up player Jack Fox.
The GC SUNS finished full of running despite the absence of Rex Liddy and Lock after halftime.
They were best served by Nicholls, who was extra strong in the second half, Steven May in defence, the silky smooth Weller – who had a good battle with Jared Polec.
Former Port Douglas boy Lewis Moss played his best game for the club, being clean and quick, while Roland Ah Chee did a terrific job down back on the in-form Amon Buchanan.
