Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch said post-match that he wanted more from his leaders, although Vice-Captain Tom Rockliff is one that could hold his head high.
After serving his one-match suspension, Rockliff was among the Lions’ best with 35 disposals, 11 marks, five tackles, and three goals.
The 2011 Club Champion further proved that he is capable of racking up big numbers in the midfield and also providing a weapon up forward.
He has now kicked six goals in his two matches this season, to sit equal second with Jonathan Brown on the Club’s goal-kicking tally – just one behind current leader Same Mayes (seven goals).
GOAL SOURCES
The Lions had just three goals on the board at half-time – all courtesy of teenagers Marco Paparone, James Aish and Lewis Taylor.
By the time the final siren had sounded, five of the team’s nine goals had come from first or second year players, with Mayes getting in on the action and Paparone booting a second.
ABLETT’S DOUBLE-UP
Gary Ablett became the first player in QClash history to win a second Marcus Ashcroft Medal, with a dominant performance in QClash 7.
The Lions simply had no answer for Ablett, who had 38 disposals, three goals, and 10 tackles.
CONTESTED BALL
There had been some promising signs for the Lions in recent weeks, with the Club’s contested ball and clearance numbers stacking up against two of the best teams of the past decade.
But the Suns dominated their cross-town rivals in both areas, winning the contested possession (171-136) and clearance (51-40) count comfortably.
The only key statistic that the Lions ‘won’ on the day was the hitouts (54-44).
BROWN DOWN
Jonathan Brown had one of his quieter matches against the Suns on Saturday, with just four disposals and one mark in the team’s 53-point loss.
But before people start writing the champion forward off, they need only look back at Round 3 of 2012 to see how dangerous that can be.
On that occasion, Brown was limited by a dour Fremantle backline to just three disposals – a career-low since that infamous debut game.
But the five-time Lions leading goal-kicker responded by averaging 18 disposals and booting 13 goals in his next five matches.
AFL FANTASY TOP FIVE
1. Tom Rockliff – 157 points
2. Jack Redden – 120 points
3. Pearce Hanley – 118 points
4. Mitch Golby – 110 points
5. Brent Moloney – 96 points
WHO WAS BEST?
Afl.com.au listed Rockliff, Paparone, and Brent Moloney (22 disposals, eight clearances), but who do YOU think were the team’s three best players?
Vote now online for the Club Player of the Year
