Brisbane a class above in clash for first place against the Swans

The Brisbane Lions have put themselves four points clear of the rest of the NEAFL following their 67-point win over the Sydney Swans at Southpine Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Brisbane had contributors across the ground from their 21 listed players, with all players but one gaining at least 10 disposals in the 14.17 (101) to 4.10 (34) victory.

Allen Christensen (33 disposals, eight inside 50s), Ryan Bastinac (26 disposals, 2 goals), Toby Wooller (30 disposals, 14 marks), Jacob Allison (24 disposals, 7 rebound 50s) and Ben Keays (22 disposals, 4 goals) were the standouts for the victors.

Sydney and its 14 AFL-listed players had some patches of promise throughout the first half, with Irishman Colin O’Riordan following up his 42-touch effort last week with 41 this week and former North Melbourne Kangaroo Ryan Clarke responding superbly to his relegation from the senior side with a massive 47 disposals, nine marks and four tackles.

The Lions dominated inside 50s throughout the match, and after taking a five-goal lead into quarter-time the home side looked unstoppable.

The Lions have emphasised their desire in 2019 to try and play at an AFL level, as assistant coach Paul Henriksen explained.

“Throughout the early rounds we’ve really put a focus on trying to play at an AFL standard and I think a lot of our guys are really buying into that at the moment and they’re working really strongly as a team and as a group,” he told neafl.com.au.

Henriksen was especially pleased with his side’s ability to perform against the also in-form Swans, a club the Lions have a great respect for.

“We really admire the Sydney Swans, they’ve had sustained success for a long time now in the NEAFL,” he said.

“Their culture and the way they play, they’re really a side that we admire. It was a good performance for our guys and we know that throughout this competition there’s going to be challenges coming week in week out.”

The Lions next challenge comes as they travel to Canberra to take on the Demons, one the Lions and Henriksen are under no illusions about.

“We’re off to Canberra next week to take on the Demons and last year they fixed us up pretty easily down there so it just keeps rolling around like footy does. So you’ve just gotta refocus on Monday, lick the wounds, re-focus and move on to the next challenge.”

The Lions face Canberra at Phillip Oval, while the Swans will seek redemption against Sydney University at Henson Park; both on Saturday afternoon.

NEAFL ROUND 5

Brisbane v Sydney at South Pine Sports Complex

BRISBANE 6.2 8.6 11.13 14.17 (101)
SYDNEY 1.2 3.6 3.8 4.10 (34)

GOALS – Brisbane: B Keays 4 R Bastinac 2 T Fullarton 2 C Lyons 2 C Ballenden T Joyce E Smith C Stackelberg. Sydney: J Rose 2 J Amartey R Stoddart.
BEST – Brisbane: M Eagles J Allison A Christensen R Bastinac T Wooller B Keays. Sydney: C O’Riordan R Clarke J Rowbottom D Cameron R Stoddart.

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