Buoyed by the inclusions of senior-listed trio Keidean Coleman, Dan Annable and Tai Hayes, the Lions looked far sharper than their 21st position on the VFL ladder suggested, controlling the contest for the opening three quarters before withstanding a late Magpies surge to win 13.10 (88) to 8.19 (67).
The result followed last week’s 10-goal upset of finals-bound Tasmania at Brighton Homes Arena, which snapped a seven-game losing streak and gave the Lions consecutive wins for the first time in a season that has offered little reward despite several competitive performances.
Senior Coach Chris Fagan was among the interested onlookers at Coburg, and he did not have to wait long to see Coleman make his mark. Playing forward in his return from a hamstring injury, Coleman gave the Lions the perfect start with the opening two goals of the match and immediately set the tone for the Lions outfit.
Much like the AFL side had done in Geelong a couple of days earlier, Brisbane jumped its opponent early. The Lions piled on six goals to two in the opening term, moving the ball with speed and purpose while applying enough pressure around the contest to keep Collingwood chasing.
Annable, in his first official hitout since injuring his shoulder in Round 1, showed few signs of rust. The first-round draftee collected nine disposals in the opening quarter and helped dictate terms through the midfield alongside fellow Youi Brisbane Lions Academy product Sam Marshall, who also had nine first-quarter touches.
Brisbane’s dominance continued after quarter-time, with the visitors kicking the next four goals of the match to stretch the margin beyond eight goals. Irish recruit Ben Murphy provided one of the highlights of the afternoon with a superb set shot from beyond 50 metres, underlining the Lions’ confidence and clean execution going forward.
Collingwood had chances to halt the momentum but struggled to convert, finishing the first half with 3.8 on the scoreboard. Some of that inaccuracy was self-inflicted, but much of it came from Brisbane’s defensive pressure, with the Lions repeatedly forcing hurried entries and difficult shots.
A costly Brisbane error late in the second term gifted the Magpies their only goal of the quarter, but the Lions still went to the main break with a commanding 39-point lead and firm control of the contest.
Goals to Curtis McCarthy and Sam Tilley pushed the advantage out to 51 points midway through the third term, while Collingwood’s wastefulness continued as the home side managed just 1.6 for the quarter. By the final change, Brisbane led by 48 points and the result appeared beyond doubt.
The Magpies owned the final quarter, kicking four goals and five behinds while holding the Lions goalless to trim the final margin to 21 points. But despite Collingwood’s late push, Brisbane’s work across the first three quarters ensured the visitors were never seriously threatened.
Marshall finished as Brisbane’s leading ball-winner with 30 disposals, while Annable and Reece Torrent each gathered 26 in influential midfield performances. Behind them, Darragh Joyce was a commanding presence in defence, finishing with 24 kicks and 11 marks as the Lions’ key pillar behind the ball.
Coleman’s return was another major positive for Brisbane. Stationed forward, he kicked a team-high three goals and kept his name firmly in future senior selection discussions.
The Lions will look to continue their rich vein of VFL form when they return to Brighton Homes Arena to face Essendon next Sunday, 12 July.
Brisbane Lions 6.3 10.5 13.8 13.10 (88)
Collingwood 2.4 3.8 4.14 8.19 (67)
GOALS: Coleman 3, Murphy 2, C. McCarthy 2, Curtin 2, D. Smith, Evans, Beecken, Tilley
BEST: Joyce, Annable, Marshall, Coleman, Brain, Torrent, Lloyd
