THE BRISBANE Lions continued their impressive NAB Challenge campaign with a commanding 36-point win over the Sydney Swans in Coffs Harbour on Friday night.
Six days after shakily disposing of St Kilda by three points at Burpengary, the Lions went up a gear against last season's beaten Grand Finalists, winning 0.10.15 (75) to 1.4.6 (39).
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They were impressive all over the ground, with the midfield more than breaking even against their bigger-name rivals.
James Aish (24 disposals), Dayne Zorko (22), and Dayne Beams (19) were all first-class in the clinches, while captain Tom Rockliff was his usual tireless self with 25 touches.
The Lions ended up just shading the Swans in disposals (316-297), clearances (35-31) and inside 50s (38-33), and were much cleaner with the ball.
When the ball went forward, they looked dangerous.
Second-year utility Dan McStay kicked two goals in the opening term to get the ball rolling, while livewire small forward Josh Green was a constant menace, kicking three goals and handing off another to Lewis Taylor.
Lions coach Justin Leppitsch felt his side was better for having already played a NAB Challenge game last weekend.
"We were more on top of the ground having the second match than we were last week," he said.
"I thought our systems and structures were much better, which gives you an opportunity to compete. The other part, I thought, was we defended well."
Welcome headaches for Lions, Heeney shines for Swans
The Swans looked like a team that hadn't played a game yet, and despite trying hard, never really looked in it.
John Blakey, who deputised for John Longmire on Friday night, conceded the Swans were “a little bit disappointing”.
"I don't think we handled the conditions well," Blakey said.
"We fumbled the ball a lot, we made a lot of kicking and skill errors and then we were hurt with the turnovers. That's the game in a nutshell."
Sam Reid came off in the second quarter with what looked a minor ankle injury, while Mitch Robinson hobbled off for the Lions with a corked thigh.
Josh Kennedy and Kieren Jack worked hard for their 22 touches apiece, while much-hyped Academy product Isaac Heeney had 14 disposals on his debut.
Justin Leppitsch has one more hitout – against Gold Coast on March 20 – to watch his men before the season starts, and now has some genuine selection headaches.
Daniel Merrett looked assured back in his more favoured fullback position, while Marco Paparone swung nicely between both ends of the ground. Rohan Bewick was penetrating from a wing.
The Lions laid the foundations with a polished first half and deserved every bit of their 21-point lead at the main break.
McStay's two goals, the hard work of Michael Close and the creativity of the small forwards showed the Lions would have enough avenues to goal in 2015.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Sydney Swans: Not a great deal. The Swans are traditionally slow starters in the pre-season, and with the likes of Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh missing, they looked in second gear against a Lions team that already had a pre-season win on the board. Isaac Heeney looks an incredible talent, and the midfield depth will again be there with Tom Mitchell looking super fit and ready to be a regular.
Brisbane Lions: Despite the pre-season concern from outsiders, the Lions look capable of kicking goals. Youngsters Dan McStay and Michael Close provide good targets when the play slows down, and when they Lions transitioned the ball from their own half, they move it well and look dangerous. Josh Green is elevating himself to an elite small forward, while speedy teammates Lewis Taylor, Dayne Zorko and Jaden McGrath are all capable of kicking multiple goals. Win enough ball and the Lions will score.
NEW FACES
Sydney Swans: After all of the pre-season talk we finally got a look at Swans academy graduate Isaac Heeney, and the blonde midfielder impressed. One thing is for sure, he doesn't shirk a contest and loves to win his own ball. He finished with 14 touches. Fellow academy product Jack Hiscox had a quieter first game and battled to get involved to use his blistering pace. Daniel Robinson showed some good signs, while Toby Nankervis battled to get into the game, playing predominantly as a forward once Reid was subbed out. Rookie Lewis Melican had limited opportunities.
Brisbane Lions: Star recruit Dayne Beams backed up his stellar first outing against St Kilda with another strong showing against the Swans. He did much of the grunt work around the stoppages, finishing with 19 disposals and five clearances and has seamlessly fitted into the Lions midfield. Academy product Liam Dawson got his first game on the big stage and did not disappoint, putting an early easy miss behind him to contribute strongly across half-forward. Jaden McGrath was again dangerous in the forward 50.
Dayne Beams showed plenty of tenacity with this tackle of Luke Parker on Friday. Picture: AFL Media
SYDNEY SWANS 0.1.1 0.3.4 1.4.5 1.4.6 (39)
BRISBANE LIONS 0.3.5 0.6.7 0.8.10 0.10.15 (75)
SUPERGOALS
Sydney Swans: Jetta
Brisbane Lions: Nil
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Towers, K.Jack, B.Jack, Pyke
Brisbane Lions: Green 3, McStay 2, Dawson, McGrath, Taylor, Paparone, Zorko
BEST
Sydney Swans: Jack, Kennedy, Grundy, Parker, Rampe
Brisbane Lions: Aish, Zorko, Green, Bewick, Beams, Merrett
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Reid (ankle)
Brisbane Lions: Robinson (corked thigh)
SUBSTITUTES
Sydney Swans: Sam Reid (ankle) replaced by Lewis Melican in the second quarter, Ben McGlynn replaced by Sam Naismith in the third quarter
Brisbane Lions: Mitch Robinson (thigh) replaced by Jaden McGrath in the second quarter, Brent Staker replaced by Tom Cutler in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Official crowd: 4077 at Coffs Harbour International Stadium
