The Lions fell just five-points short of the second-placed Vultures despite making a spirited comeback which produced a wasteful 4.8 in the final term.
Reserves Coach Nathan Clarke was also the team’s leading goal-kicker after being forced to make up numbers pre-game.
Clarke booted four goals in limited game time up forward and said the experience was a real eye-opener.
“We were hoping that Josh Green might fly back from Perth and be able to play, but there was still a bit of uncertainty,” Clarke said.
“So I called Dean Warren on the morning of the game to say that we were looking at playing one short. I suggested that I could occupy a position on the bench as a worst case scenario and he seemed fine with that idea.”
“I hadn’t played a fair dinkum game of footy since September of 2009. I ended up playing around 50% of game which was probably more than I would have liked.”
Clarke said acting as a coach/player was nothing new considering he had performed the role with his previous club in Canberra.
“I did it for five years in Canberra, so I was used to it. You certainly get a real appreciation for what the players are going through and can see how the game style is panning out first-hand.”
“I actually think it’s a huge advantage as a coach. But it was purely a one-off at this stage. I would only ever do it again if we were in desperate need and it wasn’t at the expense of any of the young kids.”
Clarke said the team’s poor start had them playing catch-up for the rest of the game.
“We’ve been a bit similar to senior team in that we can’t seem to string four quarters together,” Clarke said.
“We give sides a good head-start and then spend the rest of the game pegging them back.”
“Mt Gravatt are a quality side and were really strong bodied around the contest - particularly in the midfield.”
“They kicked the first five goals of the game on the back of their centre clearance dominance.”
Clarke praised the performance of clear best-on-ground Amon Buchanan as well as International Scholarship Player Don Barry.
“Amon had 47 disposals and was just unbelievable,” Clarke said.
“He got bashed from pillar to post and was entitled to the odd missed handball or kick because he had that much footy. His clearance work was phenomenal.”
“Don Barry put a really good clamp on Albert Proud and limited his output I thought.”
“Jared Polec came back and played his first match since overcoming knee surgery. He showed glimpses but was a bit rusty after being out of action for the past month.”
“Xavier Clarke was really quick and zippy for the second straight week. X has been back training and playing for the past five weeks now so will probably come right into calculations for a senior spot.”
“He also took his stock-standard hanger.”
The Lions Reserves face another tough match against Aspley this weekend, fresh from the Hornets handing the NT Thunder their first defeat of the NEAFL season.
“Aspley knocked the Thunder over by around 40 points in Alice Springs which moved them into the top four I think,” Clarke said.
“They have some quality players including Micah Buchanan - Amon’s younger brother - who is one of their guns. In fact, both of Amon’s younger brothers play for Aspley.”
“They also have guys like Matt Shir who was recruited from country Victoria initially and of course former Lions premiership player Robbie Copeland. They’re developing a formidable outfit.”
“We should almost definitely get Brent Staker into the side this week which would be a huge boost while Callum Bartlett is also a chance to come back.”
“We might also get our NSW/ACT Scholarship player Richard Newell back. Richard has been playing in the Under 18 Championships lately - for Queensland - so that our recruiting staff can see how he’s tracking against kids his own age.”
