BRISBANE Lions coach Michael Voss has had his forward line prayers answered with Daniel Merrett and Tom Rockliff starring in Saturday's 64-point win over Carlton at Maroochydore.
Playing his first game of the season, regular fullback Merrett was swung forward and looked right at home, crashing packs, flying for his marks and finishing with three goals.
Rockliff (three goals) also found his way forward from the midfield, and his two snapped goals off either foot in the third quarter helped blow the game open.
The Lions kicked seven unanswered goals in the term, turning a two-point half-time lead into a 15.14 (104) to 6.4 (40) rout.
Carlton came to the Sunshine Coast missing a host of regulars including Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Eddie Betts, Heath Scotland and Michael Jamison and the heat took its toll in the second half.
The Blues wilted and were held scoreless after the break.
They finished the NAB Cup without a win.
One bright note was dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd playing his first game of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in December and getting through unscathed.
The Carlton superstar looked a little rusty and had just 13 disposals.
He was just as tired as his teammates in the last quarter and missed everything from a 35m set shot, which summed up the Blues' second half.
But for Voss, his pre-season now has more than a ray of hope after a blistering second half.
With captain Jonathan Brown (broken cheekbone) out until at least round three, the Lions' coach has juggled his forward line in the past fortnight and now appears to have found some answers.
Alongside Merrett, ruckmen Billy Longer (two goals) and Matthew Leuenberger (one) were also used as targets and looked comfortable.
Jesse O'Brien (two goals) also chipped in for a couple of goals.
After an even first half, the Lions dominated in the midfield, led by the classy Simon Black (31 disposals), Jack Redden (29) and Jed Adcock (27), who also spent some time following Judd.
Michael Whiting covers AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
BRISBANE LIONS 3.3 6.6 13.10 15.14 (104)
CARLTON 4.2 6.4 6.4 6.4 (40)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Merrett 3, Rockliff 3, O'Brien 2 Beams 2, Longer 2, Black. Leuenberger, Karnezis
Carlton: Tuohy 2, Collins, Waite, Rowe, Heyne
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Black, Rockliff, Adcock, Merrett, Longer, Hanley
Carlton: Lucas, Collins, Ellard, Thornton, Russell
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: nil
Carlton: nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlan, Ryan, Kronk, Stephens
Official crowd: 5147 at Maroochydore
