The Sydney Swans have fallen short at the Gabba against the Lions, going down by 16 points in Friday night football.
The Swans started well kicking four goals to two in the first quarter to lead the Lions by 12 points at the first break but Brisbane clawed their way back in the second term with Sydney's ill-discipline costly.
Cam Rayner kicked a goal after pinning Ollie Florent holding the ball, Jarrod Berry kicked one after Dane Rampe was penalised for insufficient intent, and Oscar McInerney finished the term with a goal following a Nick Blakey infringement.
The Swans stayed in the contest in the third quarter however despite the Lions taking things up a notch but the home side's wayward kicking kept Sydney in the contest.
In the third quarter Swan Angus Sheldrick also showed he is a star on the rise, kicking his first AFL goal in his sixth game, followed by his second in as many minutes and the young midfielder kept Sydney in with a chance at the final break.
Despite a four goal to three final term, the Swans couldn't get any closer than 15 points in the final term, with each effort down their end getting a Brisbane reply at the other. The Swans have now dropped to a 5-8 win-loss record, although their effort could not be questioned.
Youngsters James Rowbottom (23 disposals, 11 tackles, 1 goal) and Errol Gulden (27 disposals and 2 goals) were superb as was co-captain Luke Parker who returned with 24 disposals and 10 tackles. Down the other end, Jake Lloyd topped the disposals with 28 and Harry Cunningham also played his best game of the season, shutting down Charlie Cameron and keeping him goalless in a superb defensive effort.
Post match, co-captain Dane Rampe said he was proud of the team's effort but the lack of discipline was hurting the side.
"We are proud of the boys the way we stuck it to a top four team," Rampe said.
"I think we have been struggling a bit to match it against the best sides, they are definitely one of them this year. While we are proud of our efforts, falling short in the last quarter seems to be a consistent thing and that's what is disappointing.
"We are giving ourselves a chance but then letting ourselves down, like with the 50m penalties. We are averaging two or three of those a week and those hurt, so it's about being more disciplined and being better with the ball."
Talking Points
MRO trouble for the Swans
Sydney small forward Sam Wicks will come under scrutiny from the Match Review Officer for a second-quarter incident with Lion Ryan Lester. The Brisbane defender was unleashing a clearing kick from defence when Wicks came over to pressure, left his feet with a raised arm and hit the veteran in the head. Lester hit the turf for a few seconds and was back to his feet shortly after to continue playing. Wicks was reported and gave away a downfield free kick.
Quiet nights for two dynamic forwards
The prospect of Charlie Cameron and Tom Papley playing at either end of the ground loomed as one of the highlights of the match – but Harry Cunningham and Brandon Starcevich had other ideas. Cunningham completely blanketed Cameron, restricting him to just three goalless kicks (from seven disposals), despite the Lions generating 66 inside 50s. At the other end, Starcevich wore Papley like a glove, keeping him to one goal from 10 touches.
BRISBANE 2.2 7.5 10.13 13.19 (97)
SYDNEY 4.2 6.6 8.6 12.9 (81)
GOALS
Brisbane: Hipwood 2, Daniher 2, Berry 2, Bailey 2, Robertson, Rayner, McKenna, McInerney, Fletcher
Sydney: Sheldrick 2, Gulden 2, Wicks, Rowbottom, Parker, Papley, McInerney, Hayward, Campbell, Amartey
BEST
Brisbane: Bailey, Neale, Dunkley, Coleman, Wilmot, Starcevich
Sydney: Lloyd, Rowbottom, Cunningham, Gulden, Campbell, Blakey, Parker
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Sydney: Nil
