The Brisbane Lions VFL side were unable to hold off a surging Box Hill in their Round 9 Smithy’s VFL clash going down by 19 points on Saturday afternoon.
After bursting out of the blocks the Lions fell to a strong Hawks outfit 14.7 (91) to 10.12 (72).
Bruce Reville gave the Lions the perfect start, returning from a hamstring injury, booting the first major of the game.
Ty Gallop quickly followed suit with his first goal for the afternoon as the Lions kicked with the breeze in the opening term.
Majors to Jack Manly, Fergus McFadyen and Gallop’s second, had the Lions leading by 28 points at quarter time.
Box Hill responded in the second term booting five goals in a row to bring the contest to life.
Two late goals from Jimmy Tunstill and Will McLachlan helped the Lions hold a seven-point lead at the main break.
With Lions defence tested across the afternoon, Tom Doedee, Harry Arnold and Shadeau Brain showed their class.
Arnold finishing with 15 touches and nine marks, Brain with 19 possessions and five marks while Doedee collected 12 disposals and took five marks.
Kicking with the breeze in the third term, the Lions were unable to capitalise on strong field position throughout the quarter, booting just one goal to go with five behinds.
Conor McKenna kicked the Lions only major of the term after Box Hill booted the first three goals of the quarter to have score level at the final change.
Two goals to Gallop in final 10 minutes of the term were not enough for the Lions to claw their way back after Box Hill kicked the first five in a row to blow the game wide open.
Tunstill toiled hard in the midfield all day finishing with 19 touches and a goal, while Reville made strong comeback from injury with his 18 possessions and seven tackles.
Zane Zakostelsky battled in the ruck throughout the day collecting 15 hitouts and seven clearances.
The Lions will now return home to Brighton Homes Arena for a Friday afternoon clash against Essendon in Round 10.
Final Score
Box Hill 14.7 (91) def Brisbane 10.12 (72)
Goals: Gallop 3, McFadyen 2, Tunstill, Reville, McKenna, McLachlan, Many
Best: Doedee, Arnold, Tunstill, Brain, Manly, Gallop
