With only nine listed players in the squad, the Lions pushed reigning champs Morningside all the way but ultimately went down by 9 points 9.19 to 10.2.
It's fair to say Morningside controlled the play after quarter time, and with better conversion would have had a comfortable win, however the undermanned Lions refused to throw in the towel.
Daniel Pratt looked like he was going to win us the game off his own boot in the early going until he went off with a bit of a knee injury. He returned and continued to play well but wasn't quite the dominant player he was earlier on.
Joel MacDonald and Phyllis Stiller were outstanding defenders, marking strongly, running hard and repelling countless Panthers' attacks - particularly in the second term when the play was almost entirely in Morningside's half of the ground.
Matt Moody won alot of the ball, but kicked too short too often for someone with such a penetrating kick. I'd love to see him bang it long to the hot spot rather than chipping sideways and backwards.
Josh Drummond has found himself in the back half of late and played very well again today at fullback, picking up the resting ruckman.
Tom Logan and Mike Rischitelli both returned from injury. Logan is insanely courageous and flashed in and out of the game. He was helped from the field at one stage in a somewhat groggy state, but returned after 3/4 time. Rischitelli was quieter, but showed his overhead marking prowess on a couple of occasions. He left the ground early to have his groin worked on. Hopefully he's OK.
Ryswyk played well on his wing. Handled and used the ball well.
Spaanderman was disappointed with his game. He had a multitude of chances to take marks but too often failed to use his height and weight advantage to out-position his opponent, and when he did get hands to the ball he struggled to complete the mark. Nevertheless, he showed enough mobility and athleticism to suggest he'll be a good player down the track. He'll do much better once he realises he's alot bigger than the bloke he's playing on and begins to assert himself more in marking contests.
The Lions play Redlands at Redlands next Sunday.
It's fair to say Morningside controlled the play after quarter time, and with better conversion would have had a comfortable win, however the undermanned Lions refused to throw in the towel.
Daniel Pratt looked like he was going to win us the game off his own boot in the early going until he went off with a bit of a knee injury. He returned and continued to play well but wasn't quite the dominant player he was earlier on.
Joel MacDonald and Phyllis Stiller were outstanding defenders, marking strongly, running hard and repelling countless Panthers' attacks - particularly in the second term when the play was almost entirely in Morningside's half of the ground.
Matt Moody won alot of the ball, but kicked too short too often for someone with such a penetrating kick. I'd love to see him bang it long to the hot spot rather than chipping sideways and backwards.
Josh Drummond has found himself in the back half of late and played very well again today at fullback, picking up the resting ruckman.
Tom Logan and Mike Rischitelli both returned from injury. Logan is insanely courageous and flashed in and out of the game. He was helped from the field at one stage in a somewhat groggy state, but returned after 3/4 time. Rischitelli was quieter, but showed his overhead marking prowess on a couple of occasions. He left the ground early to have his groin worked on. Hopefully he's OK.
Ryswyk played well on his wing. Handled and used the ball well.
Spaanderman was disappointed with his game. He had a multitude of chances to take marks but too often failed to use his height and weight advantage to out-position his opponent, and when he did get hands to the ball he struggled to complete the mark. Nevertheless, he showed enough mobility and athleticism to suggest he'll be a good player down the track. He'll do much better once he realises he's alot bigger than the bloke he's playing on and begins to assert himself more in marking contests.
The Lions play Redlands at Redlands next Sunday.
