News Lions overrun Adelaide

A FOUR-goal burst from Daniel Bradshaw in a match-turning third term inspired the Brisbane Lions to a 36-point victory over Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The Crows repeatedly threatened to blow the game open in the first half, but the home team came out and booted seven goals to two in the third quarter, and punished Adelaide’s poor execution inside the attacking 50m arc.

Bradshaw finished with five majors and also became the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer on the night as the Lions consolidated their place in the top eight.

But the Jekyll and Hyde performance will be of some concern to coach Michael Voss, as will a nasty looking ankle injury to key defender Daniel Merrett. Jed Adcock (leg) and Joel Patfull (jaw) also finished off the ground.

Best-on-ground Justin Sherman had an outstanding night, even in the Lions’ listless first half.

His work-rate, run and execution, which led to 34 disposals and three goals, was a class above in what surely must be his best game for the club.

Adelaide did make the early running at the Gabba with goals to Taylor Walker and Kurt Tippett, but the Lions hit back through the lively looking Sherman and James Polkinghorne’s first AFL goal.

But the Crows always seemed to have more numbers around the ball early on, and booted three quick majors to open up a 19-point lead.

Jason Porplyzia kept his perfect 2009 record from set shots intact with a strong mark and goal, Brad Moran increased the advantage with a clever checkside kick and Tyson Edwards was cool under pressure in completing the triple play.

The Lions pegged one back before quarter time, Albert Proud’s first goal in the AFL, to make the margin at the first change 13 points.

David Mackay increased Adelaide’s lead after only 18 seconds in the second term, and Porplyzia’s radar was still operating perfectly four minutes later when he received a free kick just beyond the arc.

Polkinghorne then showed his ability from range to secure a much-needed six-pointer for the Lions, but the skills and execution from the home team were below par.

The Crows were working harder for one another, star Lion forwards Bradshaw and Jonathan Brown were having minimal impact, but the visitors’ general domination didn’t show on the scoreboard.

Crows coach Neil Craig gained further ammunition for his half-time address when Brown and Sherman booted late goals against the run of play and the margin was only 10 points at the long break.

After having almost no impact in the first half, Bradshaw became the key player in the match-turning third quarter when he released a trademark goal-scoring burst.

He booted four of the home team’s seven for the term – compared to the Crows’ two – as the Lions opened up a 16-point lead at the final change.

Bradshaw and Sherman opened the quarter with goals to grab the lead, before the surge was broken by majors to Brent Reilly and Patrick Dangerfield.

The veteran Lions forward then booted three in quick succession, and in the process he eclipsed Alastair Lynch as club’s all time leading goalkicker.

Proud and ruckman Mitch Clark followed up with six-pointers to give the Lions a 22-point advantage going into the final term.

Youngster Daniel Rich booted his first of the night in the second minute of the last quarter, but Chris Knights gave Crows fans a sniff when he replied soon after.

All hope was gone however when Brown pounced on a dropped mark deep in defence by Kurt Tippett and was gifted his second of the night.

Further goals to Scott Harding, a fifth to Bradshaw and veteran midfielder Simon Black sealed the win as the Lions booted 15 of the last 20 majors in a storming finish.
BRISBANE LIONS 3.4 6.4 13.7 18.11 (119)
ADELAIDE 5.5 7.8 9.9 12.11 (83)

Goals
Brisbane Lions: Bradshaw 5, Sherman 3, Brown 2, Polkinghorne 2, Proud 2, Black, Rich, Clark, Harding
Adelaide: Porplyzia 2, Knights 2, Walker 2, Edwards, Mackay, Dangerfield, Moran, Reilly, Tippett.

Best
Brisbane Lions: Sherman, Bradshaw, Black, Johnstone, Rich, Clark
Adelaide: Edwards, Mackay, Goodwin, McLeod, Rutten, Vince

Injuries
Brisbane Lions: Merrett (ankle), Adcock (leg), Patfull (jaw)
Adelaide:Nil

Reports: Nil
Umpires: Michael Vozzo, Heath Ryan, Jason Armstrong
Crowd: 27, 767 at the Gabba