Lions 15.9 (99) d
South Augusta 8.10 (58)
In a lacklustre game, it was Tate Bradley, with six goals for the Lions, who was the one forward for either side that can claim he won his position.
In a harsh battle of defensive lines, both teams lacked the polish and composure to make the most of the numerous goal-scoring opportunities and South in particular struggled to get over or even through half-forward.
Out-thought, out-bodied and outside the 50 metre, South were chopped off at every drive past the centre by Christian Wood, Brad Pine, Daniel Pine and Shaun Edwards.
Both sets of midfielders seem to cancel out each other’s influence and this was perhaps demonstrated by the time the ball spent on the turf.
The harassing of the ball carrier was unrelenting as the Lions hunted in packs, stifling the Bulldogs, upsetting their rhythm and forcing turnovers.
The delivery into the South forwards was more often than not under severe pressure and the skills and decision-making hesitant and often poor.
The fact is Lions wanted the ball more and the led all day and were only really challenged in the second term.
In the first quarter, there were good signs from South’s Skipworth playing on a wing, Dan Collins up front, Michael and Chris Heron seemingly everywhere at once, Ben Trewartha impressive down back and Matt Grantham tough behind the ball.
For all their effort no goal to the Bulldogs until the second stanza when Kernahan converted after half an hour of the game gone.
The Lions stationed big Chuck Sawyer at centre-half-forward and this had the effect of straightening the ball transition, bringing the ball to the ground for the runners to feed the forwards.
With Laube the one-man-band at the stoppages and the re-starts, the Lions used Wells and Ley to great effect but Dan Seiber was probably the most watchable and influential player to half-time.
With Dunkley’s left-foot snap, South were four goals down very early in term two.
But the 'Dogs worked hard and matched their opponents as Jarrad Warren impressed, Royal lifted his game on Seiber and Ian Brown scored a goal.
However, out of the middle, Peek, O’Connor and Promnitz offered more and Lagoudis blanketed the historically dangerous Amos.
At the break and 17 points down, South were mathematically still in it, but systematically and practically not likely to be in it.
With prime-movers such as Adam Grantham and Struck out, Dohnt down, Reid flat, Brusnahan lost and Shillabeer quiet, it was difficult to see where the optimism would come from.
With the resumption of hostilities after the long break Daniel Collins goaled and suddenly there was hope.
But successive goals to Bradley, Horsnell, Ware, Ley and Bradley again killed off any flicker of fire that South may have had.
The quarter was all Lions.
Dean Steele’s dash and creativity was on show as Brodie Lavis also showed glimpses of class.
Now seven goals up, the Lions took the foot off the Bulldogs' throats enough for South to put on six goals to four in the last term.
Stand-outs were Brad and Dan Pine, O’Connor, Ware, Horsnell and Bradley for the Lions and Chris and Michael Heron, Jake Collins, Warren, Trewartha and Royals at times.
The win for the Blue and Gold propels them to outright third, a game ahead of both South and Ports and a game behind both West and Central Augusta.
This crucial win was meritorious, timely and stamps the Lions a genuine finals contender.
It is not all doom and gloom for the Bullies though and it seems coach Anno is still searching for the right combinations in crucial areas such as the middle and inside 50.
He will find them and write the “big vee” off at your peril.
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