Suncoast produced an impressive team performance to overwhelm the highly rated Labrador in last Saturday’s AFLQ Velocity Sports Cup clash at the Gabba.

Stung by a surprise loss on their home ground the previous week to Morningside, the Lions looked hungry from the outset and stuck rigidly to their game plan.

The Lions won almost every position on the ground in the 13.17 (95)-6.12 (48) victory.

While former Lions, St Kilda, and Richmond giant Trent Knobel dominated the hit-outs and worked enormously hard around the ground, pinch-hitter Wayde Mills did his best to try and nullify his opponent’s work.

Mills was forced to ruck in the absence of the injured Joel Tippett and the lack of another recognized ruckman, and continually put his body on the line despite the huge height difference.

With Knobel regularly thumping the ball forward at the hit-outs and giving his highly regarded midfield fleet the forward momentum, the Lions nonetheless dominated the clearances.

Cheynee Stiller (33 disposals and two goals) dominated the midfield and used the ball precisely. He received solid support from the hard working Bradd Dalziell (39 disposals), who has proven to be a prolific ballwinner over the opening two rounds.

Scott Harding (28 disposals) was his usual lively self, and it was the midfielders’ ability to get back into defence to help out and then stream forward that proved too hard to handle for the Tigers.

With the wave of midfielders streaming at them, it made life uncomfortable for the Tigers defence, and they would have lost by a lot more if not for the efforts of Aaron Shattock, who constantly repelled attacks or mopped up dangerous situations.

While Shattock made a couple of uncharacteristic errors, his output almost rivaled that of Knobel.

Key defender Russell Alleway also stood firm against the tide, but the Tigers were on the back foot from the outset.

Aiding the Lions’ cause was the commitment of their six top-up players, each of whom won his position on the day.

James Pennycuik was lively and finished as the game’s leading goalkicker with three, while Mitch Scholard and Alik Magin also did some good things.

Ryan Thompson from Sandgate was in everything and Pennycuik’s Western Magpies teammate Ben Jaenke-Cain was also prominent.

While Labrador’s defence was always under pressure, their forward line struggled to generate opportunities.

Lions full-back Scott Clouston did an outstanding job in keeping two-time Ray Hughson Medallist Korey Fulton goalless, and Irishman Pearce Hanley was prominent.

Daniel Dzufer was also highly effective with his willingness to run and use the ball to his team’s advantage.

Suncoast face a tough contest in Round 3, traveling to Dittmer Park for the match of the round against Mt Gravatt on Sunday.