The Lions controlled the game for most of the first quarter, but proved wasteful and weren't able to capitalise in front of goal.
"We started very well, and were very good for the first 20 minutes before Gold Coast tightened up," Reserves Coach Nathan Clarke said.
"We certainly didn't play well in the second quarter, but we still hung in there. We just seemed to lose our way at stoppages and they were able to get two or three players loose."
"We didn't cope too well with that and it dented our guys' confidence. Then our work rate dropped off and Gold Coast dominated the second half."
The Lions Reserves fielded a strong side with 19 listed players, including Josh Drummond and Sam Docherty who were making their first official appearance for 2012.
"We had 19 listed players and five Magpies boys, so there were no excuses in that regard. We still had enough quality players," Clarke said.
The good news for the Lions was that both Drummond and Docherty got through the game unscathed and were able to gain some valuable match practice.
"Drummo was a class above I thought, particularly early on when he was energetic," he said.
"Docherty was an 18 year-old playing his first game for a long time, but still showed some good things defensively. He's got some pace, and tried to take the game on when he got his hands on the footy."
"For both of those guys it was more about getting through unscathed, which we achieved."
Drummond, Retzlaff, Hawksley and Wrigley were listed among the Lions' best.
"Retzlaff probably could have kicked four in the first quarter, and was probably still the dominant forward on the ground. He just let himself down with his finishing."
