The Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns have been contrasting success stories, at least in relative terms, so far this season. The Suns, short on talent, have punched above their weight playing within their limitations. The Lions are on the rise and play a far more attacking game.
For two and a half quarters, the Suns were able to slow the Lions down, making them scrap, punishing them on the turnover from half-back. And then, in 10 minutes in the third quarter, Lions centreman Lachie Neale grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, setting up two goals and kicking another himself.
Brisbane's Lachie Neale celebrates a goal during the clash against the Gold Coast Suns.Credit:AAP
At that time, the QClash needed it as much as the Lions did. It had been an ordinary affair, blighted by dreadful kicking for goal in fine conditions. But Neales brilliance broke the Suns resistance, and in the last quarter the Lions exposed the gap in class between the sides, returning to the winners list with a 49-point victory.
It was the doughty Mitch Robinson, though, who won the Marcus Ashcroft medal for best on ground, playing typically uncompromising football and kicking three goals along the way. Neale may be the recruit of the year, but the mostly unheralded Robinson has also been exceptional so far this year.
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Lion Cam Rayner in control. Credit:AAP
Coach Chris Pagan would have been pleased, and relieved, to see some players who have struggled in recent weeks return to form, especially Charlie Cameron, who worked harder and reaped the rewards. Stefan Martin and Jarryd Lyons played important roles, and Cam Rayner kicked three goals when his team needed them.
As willing as the Suns have been so far this season, theyve struggled to kick a score. Peter Wright, so promising a few years ago, is their only key forward, and while he threatened on occasions, too much is being left to too few at ground level. While the effort is there, its hard to see them progressing much further in 2019.
NEALE NAILING IT
Probably the Brownlow medal frontrunner after six rounds, an electric burst in the third quarter from Lachie Neale turned a humdrum contest decisively the Lions way.
First he delivered a pass lace-out for Charlie Cameron to finally break his run of yips, then he won the next clearance for Jarryd Lyons to put the Lions three goals clear. He then iced his own cake, clearing the ball again to ruckman Stefan Martin inside 50.
Neale kept running, Martin duly gave the ball back, and Neales running shot all but ended the contest.
CAMERON BACK IN THE ACTION
Cameron has had a tough few weeks after an explosive start to the year, struggling to find much of the ball, and trying to doRead More – Source
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