MATTHEW Leuenberger kicked a goal inside the final 20 seconds to salvage a draw for the Brisbane Lions in a topsy-turvy NAB Challenge match against Gold Coast at a humid Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
Leuenberger got a chip pass from skipper Tom Rockliff and ran into the open goal to level the scores at 1.7.12 (63) to 0.8.15 (63) with just seconds remaining.
Gold Coast led by 23 points at the final change before the Lions kicked the first four goals of the final term to snatch the lead.
The Suns looked like they would hold on when impressive first-year player Touk Miller snapped a terrific goal with five minutes remaining to regain the lead, but Leuenberger had the final say.
"Our effort in the third quarter was probably the most disappointing it's been so far (this pre-season), but the boys fought it back and it got back to where we want it to be. It was a fluctuating game," Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said.
"It was probably a classic last game before round one where it was a little bit scrappy, a little bit sloppy and the intensity wavered a little.
"We should go into our round one game full of confidence that we've ticked a lot of boxes."
While the Lions were pleased with their final quarter run, the Suns dominated for large periods of the contest despite being severely undermanned.
They were missing a host of first choice players, including skipper Gary Ablett (shoulder), midfielders Jaeger O'Meara (knees) and Jack Martin (ill), and big forwards Charlie Dixon (ankle) and Tom Lynch (rested).
But it made little difference, as their midfield got right on top, holding the Lions goalless in the second and third quarters before tiring in the last.
Harley Bennell (31 disposals) was terrific after half-time, while Dion Prestia (29) was his usual prolific self in his first pre-season match.
Nick Malceski (28), Kade Kolodjashnij (26) and David Swallow (25) were also strong contributors.
"Overall I was pleased with our effort," Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said.
"I thought we worked really hard. We turned the ball over a lot and the fact we were able to defend off those turnovers was pleasing.
"We've just got to get better with our ball use and our method at times, our decision-making."
Gold Coast dominated the clearances (43-31) and inside 50s (62-49), but struggled to really put their arch-rivals away.
The Lions kept their unbeaten pre-season intact, but it came at a cost, with a worrying right shoulder injury to rugged young defender Darcy Gardiner.
Gardiner sustained the injury during the first term when laying a shepherd, and after briefly returning to the field in the second quarter, eventually succumbed and saw no further action.
He will have scans in the coming days to determine the extent of the injury.
After a strong win over Geelong and a poor loss against GWS, the Suns tightened the screws ahead of their round one match against Melbourne on April 4.
They will be without Dixon and Lynch (suspended) for that match, but showed their midfield was good enough to provide a small forward line with plenty of chances.
The Lions had plenty of ball, but it was often scrappy.
Allen Christensen kicked a goal with his first touch from a nice lead and mark, while Dayne Beams (31) continued his fine pre-season.
It was an at-times painful first half to watch, with both teams setting up defensive structures that were hard to penetrate.
The humidity was so extreme, the AFL's heat policy was partially invoked, with no substitutions and extra breaks between quarters.
It made handling difficult, with both teams guilty of coughing up a host of easy possessions.
Dayne Beams was again impressive with 31 disposals. Picture: AFL Media
WHAT WE LEARNED
Gold Coast: Maybe, just maybe, the Suns won't be so reliant on skipper Gary Ablett this season. While his absence during the pre-season hasn't been ideal for preparation and continuity, it may have been a blessing in disguise long-term. Not only can the Suns rely on David Swallow and Dion Prestia for consistent midfield output, but Harley Bennell, Michael Rischitelli, Mitch Hallahan and Jarrod Harbrow all look set for strong seasons.
Brisbane Lions: The Lions are going to be far more difficult to score against this season. In their three pre-season matches they've conceded just eight, four and eight goals, a far cry from the average of 100 points they coughed up each week in 2014. It's not just the back six – far from it – but the Lions seem better organized all over the field, and despite being outplayed for much of the night, did not let their opponents come back into the corridor or play-on as quickly.
NEW FACES
Gold Coast: If he hadn't done so already, rookie Adam Saad has played himself into the Suns' round one team with another solid display. There is room to elevate the attacking defender to the senior list, and his 15 disposals were again full of dash and polish before he was unfortunately carried off with a heavy head knock late in the final term. Draftees Touk Miller and Jarrod Garlett also appear destined to play the first match of the premiership season. Miller is a defensive terrier and put a pass on the chest of Alex Sexton for a goal, while Garlett is clever and exciting. Nick Malceski played his best game of the pre-season, while Mitch Hallahan chalked up 19 disposals.
Brisbane Lions: He might have missed much of the pre-season while recoveing from back surgery, but Allen Christensen slotted in beautifully. He kicked a goal with his first kick and finished with 15 touches. Dayne Beams continued his supreme pre-season, racking up another 31 disposals, while Mitch Robinson is a big reason why the forward pressure is so impressive. Liam Dawson and Jaden McGrath had quiet games in limited minutes.
GOLD COAST 0.2.3 0.3.8 0.7.11 0.8.15 (63)
BRISBANE LIONS 1.2.6 1.2.7 1.2.9 1.7.12 (63)
SUPERGOALS
Gold Coast:
Brisbane Lions: Zorko
GOALS
Gold Coast: Matera 2, Hallahan, Russell, Sexton, Bennell, Miller, Gorringe
Brisbane Lions: Leuenberger 2, McStay, Christensen, Bewick, Rockliff, Martin
BEST
Gold Coast: Bennell, Prestia, Shaw, Broughton, Swallow, Malceski, Miller
Brisbane Lions: D.Beams, Aish, C.Beams, Clarke, Rich, Martin
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Saad (concussion)
Brisbane Lions: Gardiner (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Findlay, Ryan
Official crowd: 5581 at Metricon Stadium
