Brisbane overcomes Gold Coast scare to win at the Gabba

The Brisbane Lions have continued their undefeated run through the 2019 season despite an early scare from Gold Coast at the Gabba on Saturday.

The SUNS’ five-goal-to-one first quarter has the Lions on the back foot early as Gold Coast took a two-goal lead into the half-time break.

However, the Lions rebounded at half-time with an eight-goal-to-three second half paving the way for a 13.13 (91) to 10.6 (66) win.

Lions coach Mitch Hahn admitted his side was outperformed in the first term despite the end result.

“I thought the SUNS out-hunted and out-pressured us and they were fantastic in the first quarter,” Hahn said to neafl.com.au. 

Despite the first quarter scare, Hahn was happy with the rebound by his team to get the victory.

“We spoke at quarter time about matching their pressure,” he said.

“We started to get back to the way we wanted to play in the second quarter and followed on from there.”

The SUNS were aided by the addition of Jack Martin and Peter Wright who both had big days for the away side. Martin was extraordinary, finishing with 32 disposals, 11 tackles and two goals while Wright had 18 disposals to go alongside 22 hit-outs and five marks.

Brad Scheer was also prolific for the SUNS with 33 disposals in the match. Josh Corbett was threatening throughout the match with three goals.

For the Lions, contributions were largely shared with 15 players finishing with 15 or more disposals in the match, and five players kicking two goals each.

Rhys Mathieson was the standout amongst the pack with 30 disposals, two goals and six tackles.

The Lions will regroup before a matchup against the GIANTS next week in Sydney while the SUNS will travel to Sydney as well to face the Swans at Blacktown.

Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast SUNS at the Gabba

BRISBANE 1.2 5.7 9.9 13.13 (91)
GOLD COAST 5.1 7.2 8.3 10.6 (66)

GOALS – Brisbane: B Keays 2 C Lyons 2 R Mathieson 2 N Robertson 2 S Skinner 2 E Smith T Wooller T Berry. Gold Coast: J Corbett 3 J Martin 2 A Young 2 C Budarick T Nicholls C Nutting.
BEST – Brisbane: M Eagles K Coleman J Payne T Wooller R Lester R Mathieson. Gold Coast: J Martin B Scheer J Corbett J Leslie J Joyce T Nicholls.

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