Brisbane makes competition history as minor premiership sewn up

Brisbane has created NEAFL history with the longest winning streak by any club as the Lions sewed up the 2019 minor premiership with a thumping 125-point win over Southport on Saturday.

A remarkable 15 consecutive wins since Round 1 of 2019 breaks the record for consecutive NEAFL wins set by the Sydney Swans in 2015.

With 21 of their 22 players from their AFL list, the Lions’ experienced line-up was not fazed by the threat of facing the second-placed side on their home turf in the 26.16 (172) to 7.5 (47) win at Fankhauser Reserve.

Southport’s missing players through a combination of injury and unavailability left them without the likes of stars Ryan Davis, Tyler Roos, Jed Turner, Matt Shaw, Michael Manteit, Josh Hall and Rhys Clark, leaving gaps across the park.

The Sharks competed well early despite losing strong forward to injury within the first few minutes of the match.

The home side remained within a few of kicks through the opening half, likely leaving the field relatively pleased at the main break with an 18-point deficit, however a 10 goal to nil third quarter the way of the visitors showed to the Sharks why they were primed to steal Southport’s dreams of back-to-back flags.

Toby Wooller booted three goals in the Lions’ tidal wave term, while Connor McFadyen and Ryan Bastinac stacked on the pain with two majors apiece in the third quarter.

The Lions went on to add another seven unanswered goals in the final term to hand the Sharks a 125-point loss.

Lions coach Mitch Hahn was happy to have obtained the four points, but hasn’t let the scale of his sides’ dominance this season distract him.

“With Southport’s outs, we’re probably a bit disappointed we weren’t able to face what they put on the park every week," he told neafl.com.au.

"We’re looking to take it one week at a time, and what we’re trying to drive at this club is AFL standard.

“In terms of the record, I haven’t really looked at that, but it’s great that for the football club and for the supporters’ that we’re able to string some successes together. It’s always good for your culture when you’re winning games.”

Young Brisbane midfielders Rhys Mathieson (31 disposals, 12 clearances) and Corey Lyons (35 disposals, 10 inside 50s) lead the Lions’ ball-winning efforts, while veteran Ryan Bastinac contributed a team-high four goals amongst his 28 touches.

The Sharks had few positives to mention, but Andrew Boston (35 disposals) and Brodie Murdoch (21 disposals, nine marks) worked hard, and Kwaby Boakye had a standout first half and finished with 19 disposals with six rebound 50s.

The Lions return to the Gabba next week to take on the SUNS in a curtain raiser for the AFL QClash, while the Sharks will take advantage of the bye round to rebound strongly against NT Thunder at TIO Stadium.

Southport Sharks v Brisbane Lions at Fankhauser Reserve

BRISBANE 3.4 9.7 19.9 26.16 (172)
SOUTHPORT 2.1 7.1 7.3 7.5 (47)

GOALS – Brisbane: R Bastinac 4 C Cox 3 B Keays 3 T Wooller 3 C Ballenden 2 S Skinner 2 C McFadyen 2 T Berry 2 T Fullarton N Robertson C Lyons R Mathieson E Smith. Southport: C Ford 2 J OShea 2 M Johnson E Baru A Boston.
BEST – Brisbane: B Starcevich R Mathieson C Cox C Lyons M Eagles B Keays. Southport: A Boston K Boakye M Willis S Tape J Shea.

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