Even though the NEAFL Lions may have gone in to the rooms at half-time of Sunday’s Round 17 clash against Sydney behind on the scoreboard for the first time this season, coach Mitch Hahn was impressed with his team’s ability to rise to the challenge

Trailing 5.5.35 to 6.5.41, Hahn believed his team responded well before eventually kicking away in the final term to win by 32 points.

“It was a credit to Sydney they really came (with energy), and that’s what we’re facing at the moment. A lot of teams are chasing after us because we’ve had a really good season to date.” Hahn said.

“They came with a lot of energy and enthusiasm, it was good for our guys to be able to get challenged and it was the first time this year we’ve been behind at the scoreboard at half-time, I thought after that they responded really well.

“They answered the challenge and we ran away with it, but credit to the Swans they really came to play.”

Hahn believed it was a decisive third quarter, that turned a six-point deficit into an 11-point lead at three quarter time that set up the victory.

“We pushed Matty Eagles into the ruck, who really generated a bit of energy and enthusiasm around the contest. Our midfielders got a little bit on top of that area and were able to surge the ball forward.”

“By moving Matty into the ruck we were able put Sam Skinner and Tom Fullerton down forward who were able to provide a bit more of a contest in the air, and we set up behind the ball a little bit better which helped us if we didn’t move the ball inside our fifty well, which was pleasing.”