The NEAFL Lions (13. 17. 95) have gone down to an aggressive Ainslie (16. 6. 102) side in a close encounter, where one side managed to take their chances and one side failed to make the most of their opportunities.
The Lions arrived at Griffin Park, Coorparoo, with a youthful side for a round 3, ANZAC day clash with Canberra based side, Ainslie.
In front of a healthy crowd for their first home game of the season, the Lions were looking to continue their winning ways from last weekend.
Ainslie came in high on confidence after a big victory over local rivals Eastlake last week.
The match took on added significance after a minute silence was held prior to kick off to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landing.
The Lions had the early ascendency but failed to convert their opportunities kicking 4 behinds to start the game.
The Lions were on top for most of the first quarter aside from a brief period where Ainslie managed to kick two goals. The Lions will be disappointed not to have taken their chances kicking 3 goals and 7 behinds for the quarter.
After scoring a goal early in the second quarter the Lions took the lead out to 19 points. The quarter turned into a scrappy affair midway through, which Ainslie took advantage of, kicking 5 goals to run out to a 10 point lead.
Once the game opened up the Lions managed to get back on top, quickly kicking 4 goals and moving out to a 15 point lead going into half time.
The third quarter was marred by an ugly knock on Matt Maguire by Ainslie’s Josh Bennett. Maguire was stretchered off and didn’t take any further part in the match. There was also an injury to Jackson Paine, which tested the Lions in what was a hot afternoon at Griffin Park.
Ainslie seem to make the most of the hot conditions in the fourth quarter. After being down by 19 points, they managed to turn things around and win by 7.
The Lions dominated much of the match but never managed to break away from an Ainslie side that executed an aggressive game plan. Unfortunately for the Lions, that was all Ainslie need to finish the stronger of the two sides and leave Brisbane with the 4 points.
Brent Staker and Matthew Hammelmann were two of the Lions best, while Josh Bennett was a standout for Ainslie.
Brisbane Lions
Goals: Staker (5), Hammelmann (5), Mammone, Penberthy, Lester.
Ainslie
Goals: Bennett (8), Mathis (2), Heyne (2), Harper, Vickers-Willis, Salter, Williams
