It was wins all round for the Suncoast Lions on Saturday afternoon with a big victory over top side Mt Gravatt highlighted by outstanding efforts by several fringe senior players.

After losing their first three games, Suncoast sewed up AFLQ Velocity Sports Cup fifth spot at the very least last weekend - despite it only being Round 11 - and moved to within a game of the top three.

Having missed the finals for the first time in seven years last season, Suncoast are making a strong run at the top sides and will be a genuine premiership threat if their playing list remains this healthy.

The Lions were slaughtered by Mt Gravatt in the opening round of the season, then pushed the Vultures before losing a sometimes spiteful clash at Coorparoo a month ago.

They were simply too classy third time around, sweeping to an 18.15 (123)-8.19 (67) victory.

In the absence of regular coach Craig Brittain on recruiting duties in Perth, assistant coach Justin Leppitsch took the reins and didn’t miss a beat.

Suncoast held their rivals goalless in the opening term term, led by 44 points at halftime, and snuffed out any hopes of a revival by taking a 10 goal lead into three quarter time.

The incentive of senior selection was a powerful motivating factor for half a dozen Lions players, and they played accordingly.

Speedy forward Rhan Hooper was in brilliant touch, roaming far and wide for his kicks and burning off his opponents with his sheer speed.

Robert Copeland, playing his first Suncoast game of the year after 12 straight matches and 121 in total for the Brisbane Lions, was typically determined.

Copeland spent time in the midfield and did plenty of work forward, even attracting former premiership teammate Darryl White as company at one stage during the game.

With Scott Harding and Marcus Allan collecting possessions at will in the midfield, just as they did in their last outing in a top win over Southport, the Suncoast were always in control.

Lively forward Haydn Kiel topped off their good work with four goals in his most encouraging display since hamstring problems set back his progress in the pre-season.

It was a sobering result for the Vultures, who have now lost two of their last three games after winning the first eight matches of the season.

Nuggety midfielder Tony Van Rooyen tried his best against the rampant Lions midfield, while Bill Cleary and Nick Van Bekkum did some good things.

Whenever the Vultures did go forward, they ran into an inspired Scott Clouston, who was near impassable at full-back.

He kept ace forward Paul O’Brien to the solitary goal, won the majority of one-on-one duels and provided plenty of rebound for his side.

Ben Fixter kept dangerous forward pocket Grae Grant out of the game early before moving into the midfield action.

 

Scoreboard:

Suncoast, 4.4, 9.10, 14.13, 18.15 (123)
Mt Gravatt, 0.4, 2.8, 4.11, 8.19 (67)

Goals, Suncoast: H Kiel 4, R Copeland 2, B Weightman 2, S Harding 2, W Mills 2, M Allan, B Fixter 2, Z Smith, J Tippett 1. Best: R Hooper, M Allan, W Hamill, R Copeland, S Clouston, H Kiel.

Goals, Mt Gravatt: C Cant 3, M Stinear, P O'Brien, M Van Bekkum, R Bail, A Evans 1. Best: A Van Rooyen, W Cleary, S Morrison, N Van Bekkum, G Dosser, D White.

 

AFLQ Velocity Sports Cup ladder

POS    TEAM            P   W  L   D  B    For      Ag       PC         Pts

1        Mt Gravatt        11   9   2   0   0    1196    798    149.87      36
2        Morningside      11   8   3   0   0    1240    873    142.04      32
3        Southport          11   7   4   0   0    1183    925    127.89      28
4        Labrador           11   7   4   0   0    1086  1013    107.21      28

5        Suncoast           11   6   5   0   0    1094    886     123.48      24
6        Broadbeach      11   4   7   0   0      842   1073      78.47      16
7        Eagles               11   3   8   0   0      998   1220      81.80      12
8        Redland            11   0  11   0   0     713   1564      45.59       0