Moloney looked noticeably thinner than he did last season as he racked up 11 possessions as the Lions won a grinding encounter against the Hawks in slippery conditions at Metricon Stadium, 0.4.8 (32) to 0.1.5 (11).
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Moloney had a dramatic fall from favour at Melbourne under new coach Mark Neeld last season and elected to cross to the Lions in last year's free agency period.
Moloney was ably supported through the midfield by Daniel Rich, Josh Green and Tom Rockliff.
Former Bulldog Brian Lake has been touted as the key recruit for Hawthorn's defence this season, but Jarryd Roughead showed against the Lions he could also bolster the Hawks' backline.
Roughead was moved from his customary forward/ruck role against the Lions, and impressed at centre half-back with his strength in marking contests and poise at ground level.
Ruckman David Hale was sporting a new streamlined look, having dispensed of the hair transplant he has worn for several years.
Hale was denied a dribbled goal late in the first half when a video review showed that the ball had touched the post, although Lions defender James Polkinghorne also soccered the ball through before it crossed the goal line.
Puopolo knee scare sours Hawks defeat
Former Geelong rookie Jonathan Simpkin was one of the Hawks' most impressive players and the best of their recruits.
The Hawks led by nine points at half-time, but the Lions controlled play in the second half, kicking all four of their goals and holding the Hawks goalless.
Lance Franklin again failed to kick a goal after struggling for touch in the Hawks' earlier loss to Gold Coast.
What the coach said
"Once we got our hands on the footy and started to flow the ball a bit more, the game opened up and our scoring opened up. I wanted to see some of our young defenders and their rebounding capability. I wanted to see (Elliot) Yeo and (Sam) Docherty and (Mitch) Golby and see how they went. They were good."
– Lions coach Michael Voss
AFL Fantasy Snapshot
Young Hawks Jonathan Simpkin, Will Langford and Bradley are cut-price options worth considering after their performances against the Lions. Midfielder Simpkin ($195,800) had a team-high 43 AFL Fantasy points, defender Langford (108,500) had 38 and midfielder Hill ($191,700) had 36. Patrick Karnezis ($238,500) played predominantly as a forward in his first two seasons at the Lions, but spent most of his time in defence against the Hawks, racking up the second highest Fantasy score in the game (45 points). For Fantasy coaches looking for a good mid-priced midfielder, new Lion Brent Moloney ($309,800) looked fit and ready to recapture his consistent 2011 form.
BRISBANE LIONS 0.0.3 0.4.8 (32)
HAWTHORN 0.1.3 0.1.5 (11)
SUPERGOALS
Brisbane Lions: -
Hawthorn: -
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Zorko 2, Lisle, Banfield
Hawthorn: Breust
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Moloney, Zorko, Rich, Green
Hawthorn: Simpkin, Roughead, Gibson, Guerra
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: TBC
Hawthorn: TBC
Reports: Nil
