ASHCROFT MAKES AN IMPRESSION AT LIONS
FATHER-SON pick Will Ashcroft has wasted little time in making an impression at the Brisbane Lions, showing his class in Friday’s practice match against the Sydney Swans at Tramway Oval.
The Lions prevailed 15.9 (99) to 8.6 (54) in their first pre-season hitout against AFL opposition, and it was Ashcroft who stole the show in the midfield.
The son of Lions great Marcus Ashcroft was clean with his gathering and quick to feed Brisbane’s starstudded forward line.
After a seesawing first half, the Lions blew the game open in the third quarter, kicking five goals to none, with Sydney having no answer to Brisbane’s relentless pressure.
Sydney responded early in the final quarter, but the Lions – whose key performers also included Keidean Coleman – then finished the stronger to win by 45 points.
The only concern for the Lions was the sight of talisman Lachie Neale limping in the third quarter. He went off the field and took no further part in the match.
HAPPY JACK
Former Hawthorn star Jack Gunston had an immediate impact in Brisbane’s forward line.
A day after saying he was hoping to fly “under the radar” among the Lions’ impressive arsenal of forwards, Gunston was fed from the outset, kicking Brisbane’s first goal, and adding two more as the Swans struggled to contain him.
Fellow off-season recruit Josh Dunkley was on the end of some rough treatment early but produced more than enough – including two goals – alongside Ashcroft and Neale in a talent-stacked Lions midfield to show he will play a crucial role this season in the Lions’ bid to win their first premiership since 2003.
New Swan Aaron Francis failed to have a huge impact on the contest but he wasn’t alone, particularly in a second half dominated by Brisbane.
MAGNETS MOVED
The versatile Cam Rayner, previously a forward and midfielder, was used in defence by the Lions in a role he has had during the Lions’ intra-club trials.
While Rayner didn’t do anything spectacular, he again showed his ability to adapt to his team’s needs.
With Brisbane’s midfield and forward brigades packed, Rayner could find himself spending a lot of time on the halfback line this season.
Also in defence, Jack Payne produced a solid performance to suggest he’s the most likely replacement for long-term casualty Marcus Adams.
BUDDY WATCH
The Swans kept star forward Lance Franklin wrapped in cotton wool for the entire first half.
Franklin entered at the start of the third quarter but had little effect in a 25-minute period dominated by the Lions. He played about 20 minutes of the final quarter, showing nice touches, before being given an early mark.