Brisbane continues red-hot start to 2019

Brisbane has continued its red-hot start to 2019 with a dominant 97-point win against the Gold Coast SUNS at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

The Lions kicked away to a 29-point lead in the first quarter after a dominant display out of the gates,a and rammed home the advantage in the last to win 24.15 (159) to 8.6 (54).

Ben Keays was a standout for the Lions, finishing with 26 disposals and four goals as well as five tackles and eight marks to compliment his stat line.

Playing a more forward-orientated role in 2019, Keays said he was loving the opportunity to develop his forward craft this season.

“Just to freshen up and try something different and develop that part of my game and another string to my bow,” he told neafl.com.au

Keays spoke highly of the Lions start to the season but was quick to re-affirm seasons aren’t defined in the first month.

“Our main message is just play AFL standard, we don’t worry about the scoreboard it will look after itself,” he said.

The SUNS improved as the game went on, matching the Lions at the contest, however the early deficit was too hard to make up especially against a team as classy as the Lions with 18 AFL-listed players.

Aaron Young again led his Gold Coast teammates with a massive 40 disposals in a best-on-ground display. Ben King was impressive inside 50 finishing with three goals, taking eight marks in the process.

For the Lions, Corey Lyons was outstanding finishing with 38 disposals, with senior figures Allen Christensen and Ryan Bastinac also finding plenty of the football finishing with 32 and 31 possessions respectively.

The SUNS took 14 AFL-listed players into the match, but Brad Scheer picked up an injury early in the third quarter.

The Lions set up a mini blockbuster with the also undefeated Sydney Swans next week in Brisbane, whilst the SUNS set off to the Northern Territory to take on the Thunder as they search for their first victory of 2019.

Gold Coast SUNS v Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium

BRISBANE 57 109 1613 2415 (159)
GOLD COAST 12 54 86 98 (62)

GOALS – Brisbane: B Keays 4 S Skinner 4 K Coleman 3 E Smith 3 A Smith 2 C McFadyen 2 R Bastinac T Berry C Lyons J Quint T Wooller C Stackelberg. Gold Coast: S Day 3 B King 3 J Heron C Beaman B Scheer.
BEST – Brisbane: C Lyons T Wooller B Keays K Coleman J Payne M Hinge. Gold Coast: A Young S Day B King J Dawson J Heron J Leslie.

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