Senior aspirants Albert Proud, Scott Harding, Mitch Clark and Lachlan Henderson were outstanding as the Lions built a solid lead and then stood firm in the face of a big Eagles comeback.
The disappointment of the day was a hamstring injury suffered by Pat Garner late in the final term after the double knee reconstruction victim had played the best game of his comeback so far.
Garner was most impressive playing deep in defence, and his kicking of the ball was a level above any other player on the ground.
Kicking skills were tested to the maximum by a gale force wind that favoured that left-hand pocket of the northern end of the ground.
The Lions had first use of the breeze and were behind the eight-ball after 20 minutes with the scores locked together.
However, Bradd Dalziell and the determined Proud, coupled with a burst by Haydn Kiel, saw the visitors boot the last two goals of the quarter and open a 14-point lead.
They were even more impressive in the second term, running the ball constantly into the wind and benefiting from the Eagles taking the ball forward too short and too slowly.
Henderson controlled the air in the backline, while Wayde Mills tried hard in the ruck and gave a willing target around the ground.
Clark too spent some time in defence and the midfield, his work late in the quarter proving critical.
In the last minute before the halftime siren, he took the ball from a boundary throw in and under pressure running away from goal, kicked a banana across the breeze that never looked like missing.
It helped the Lions to a handy 15-point break, which was extended by Clark four minutes into the third term.
The Lions gradually assumed control from there, Proud continuing to be busy and young top up player Lanz Magin continuing providing a link across half-forward.
The Lions hurt Zillmere on several occasions by running the ball from deep in defence and spotting a teammate on the lead in space in attack.
The Lions led by 37 points at the final change and still appeared in control midway through the final term until the Eagles blasted three goals in two minutes.
The dynamic Matthew Payne, close to best on ground, continued to be heavily involved for the home side, while debutant ruckman Adrian Miller, having recently moved to the city from Coolangatta, gave the Eagles some momentum at the bounces.
Suncoast looked to have sealed the game when the elusive James Pennycuik, who looked dangerous all day, kicked his third to give the Lions breathing space.
But the Eagles kept coming and when the in-form Austin Lucy – who had been well held by Chris Schmidt in the second half - goalled at the 25 minutes mark, the margin was just 12 points.
Jake Myles missed a difficult set shot by a fraction at the 28 minute mark and Ben Drew on the fly from 55m a minute later, and the Suncoast were home, 12.12 (84)-10.14 (74).
There were numerous positives for the Lions, with Tom Collier showing great dash in his return from injury and James Polkinghorne busy across half-forward. Polkinghorne generated five shots at goal for a return of 1.4 .
Dalziell, as has been the case all season, was never far from the action.
Lions acting coach Justin Leppitsch was delighted with the whole-hearted effort of his charges.
“I was happy with the way we switched play and ran the ball – we didn’t do that last week,” Leppitsch said. “They took it on, took risks, and got the rewards.”
“While there are a lot of factors involved with our reserves team that have to be put before winning, everyone likes to win.
“The players feel good about themselves and there is a lot more bubble around the changerooms, which we needed.”
Leppitsch praised the contributions of his top up players, and was delighted with the efforts of Garner and Clark.
“Pat was excellent. It’s just unfortunate that he hurt his hamstring,” Leppitsch said.
“Mitch was excellent too. We played him half-back, wing, up forward, in the ruck and he did very well wherever we put him.
“He is knocking on the door of senior selection.”
