Lions have all the answers to post solid win against GIANTS

Brisbane finished just how it started against the GIANTS on Sunday to record a 49-point victory and grab one hand on the NEAFL minor premiership.

A six-goal-to-one opening term set the tone, as the Lions withstood everything the GIANTS threw at them in the middle quarters to run out 15.14 (104) to 8.7 (55) winners at GIANTS Stadium.

The victory now put the Lions three games clear in first position with seven home-and-away rounds left.

Fielding 20 AFL-listed players to GIANTS’ 11, the Lions were first to strike with back-to-back goals to Cedric Cox and Ryan Bastinac.

GIANTS Academy member Nick Murray dribbled through a major to get the home side on the board, but by quarter-time they were 31 points down.

The GIANTS made some inroads in the second with a snap from debutant Adam Dunkley and a long bomb from Aiden Bonar after he side-stepped an opponent the highlights.

But Brisbane found three goals of their own as they dominated the midfield and caused headaches with a dynamic forward line providing options everywhere.

The third quarter was when the contest really heated up as the GIANTS slammed on four goals in a row to cut the margin to 26 points – the fourth goal coming when Bobby Hill played on from a mark and threaded the needle from the boundary to the delight of the crowd.

But once again the Lions proved why they are the team to beat this season, closing out the match with six of the next seven majors.

Corey Lyons starred in the midfield, finishing with 38 disposals, 10 marks, nine clearances and 12 inside 50s in a dominant performance.

Overall, Brisbane won the disposal count 405-284, marks 118-72, and more than doubled the GIANTS’ inside 50s with 73-34.

Archie Smith booted four goals along with a game-high 40 hit-outs, whilst defenders Jack Payne and Matt Eagles were also strong throughout.

For the GIANTS, captain Matt Buntine (16 disposals, six rebound 50s) was rock solid and Matt Flynn continued his good run of form, collecting 18 disposals, 32 hit-outs and six inside 50s.

Jake Stein had a big day in defence, posting a huge 15 rebound 50s, and Nick Shipley was busy in the midfield with a team-high 24 disposals.

Brisbane has the bye next week with the GIANTS heading to Darwin to face bottom-placed NT Thunder.

GIANTS v Brisbane Lions at GIANTS Stadium

BRISBANE 6.3 9.7 12.10 15.14 (104)
GIANTS 1.2 3.4 7.5 8.7 (55)

GOALS – Brisbane: A Smith 4 R Mathieson 3 B Keays 2 R Bastinac 2 C Cox T Fullarton L Taylor T Wooller. GIANTS: N Murray 3 I Hill 2 C Idun A Bonar A Dunkley.  
BEST – Brisbane: J Payne M Eagles A Smith C Cox C Lyons R Mathieson. GIANTS: M Buntine M Flynn I Hill J Caldwell N Shipley J Stein.