The Brisbane Lions VFL side suffered their fourth loss of the season going down to Southport by 30 points on Saturday afternoon.
Despite booting the first goal of the game, the Lions were out muscled by a strong Sharks side who ran out 19.13 (127) to 14.13 (97) winners in Round 15 Smithy’s VFL action.
Zane Zakostelsky opened the Lions account, but Southport responded with the next three majors to nose ahead early in the first term.
James Creighton brought the margin back to seven, but the Sharks were able to boot the next three goals to close out the quarter with a 25-point lead.
Jimmy Tunstill was a shining light for Ben Hudson and his coaching staff collecting 34 touches, seven clearances, five marks and kicking two goals in a standout performance.
He was aided nicely by Deven Robertson and Bruce Reville in the midfield, who finished with 24 disposals, eight clearances and 22 possessions and seven clearances respectively.
After giving up the first goal of the second term, the Lions roared to life booting the next three majors through Tunstill and two goals from Conor McKenna.
The game went back and forth with Tunstill’s second splitting a pair of Southport majors before the Sharks were able to sneak to 27-point advantage at the main break with two late goals.
Brandon Ryan battled strongly in the ruck, with 16 hitouts, eight clearances and 21 disposals while Reece Torrent finished with a game-high eight tackles.
The Sharks had the first six scoring shots of the third quarter including three goals to jump out to their biggest lead of the game before Ben Thomas and Creighton’s second were able to keep the Lions within striking distance.
Youi Lions Academy product Jake Fazldeen and Youi Lions Academy graduate Jack Manly booted the last two majors of the term to cut the Sharks lead to 29 points at the final break.
Curtis McCarthy and Tristen Meekin helped the Lions wrestle back momentum as they both kicked truly to start the final quarter before the Sharks piled on three majors of their own to respond swiftly.
Will McLachlan and Darcy Craven were able to hit the scoreboard, but the Sharks kept the Lions at bay to run away with a 30-point win.
The Lions now face a six-day turnaround, taking on Carlton at IKON Park in Round 16 of the Smithy’s VFL.
Final Score
Brisbane 14.13 (97) def by Southport 19.13 (127)
Goals: Tunstill 2, Creighton 2, Mckenna 2, Thomas, McLachlan, Craven, Fazldeen, Manly, Zakostelsky, Meekin, McCarthy
Best: Tunstill, Reville, Mckenna, Robertson, Ryan, Creighton
