SYDNEY’S Adam Goodes put in a starring performance but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Brisbane Lions from snatching a 10-point win in their final NAB Challenge match before the start of the AFL season.
Neither side dominated the scrappy encounter, but a few late goals to the Lions gave them a 14.13 (97) to 13.9 (87) victory at Canberra's Manuka Oval.
Swans full-forward Barry Hall was a late scratching from the match but coach Paul Roos said there was no major injury scare.
"It's a bit of a sore, creaky old back," Roos said after the match.
Michael O'Loughlin did well in replacing Hall as the main forward target, but his radar was off until the final quarter, where he kicked two goals.
Neither side suffered any injuries although Jonathon Brown came from the field gingerly in the first quarter with what appeared to be a knee scare, but he was soon back on the ground.
Roos said he was again happy with the performance of his youngsters including Ed Barlow, Kieren Jack, Craig Bird and Jarred Moore, who grabbed three goals.
Under pressure during the week because of an AFL investigation which later cleared him, Roos welcomed the chance to focus on the game.
"It was good to get back, (and) good to play some footy," he said.
The Swans next match is in the season proper, where they will line up against St Kilda at Telstra Dome on March 22.
GOALS
BEST
Brisbane
Injuries: Nil.
Crowd: 2,264 at Manuka Oval
