Recalled ahead Jack Gunston kicked six targets in an encouraging return to kind because the Brisbane Lions cruised to an 81-point win over the hapless West Coast Eagles on the Gabba on Saturday.
Dropped final month after a gradual begin to his Lions’ profession after a stellar stint with Hawthorn, Gunston made probably the most of his recall after Brisbane was compelled to make 4 adjustments to the staff that beat Richmond by 81 factors within the earlier spherical.
As anticipated, the Lions have been by no means troubled by the competitors’s worst staff, with seven first-quarter targets setting the tone for the afternoon of their 16.20 (116) to five.5 (35) win.
If something, the scoreline flattered the Eagles, with the hosts seeming at instances to be going by the motions as they wasted a number of kickable alternatives.
However, it was a efficiency that was greater than ok for the third-placed Lions to take care of strain on top-two Collingwood and Port Adelaide.
Brisbane’s midfield trio of Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons and Will Aschroft dominated with 31, 29 and 28 disposals respectively.
Ashcroft’s show was notably in a continuation of his effective first season within the AFL.
“He’s a special player,” Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna stated of Ashcroft.
JACK’S BACK
Gunston made an encouraging begin in his return to the aspect earlier than a head conflict temporality slowed his output.
Dropped after the Lions’ 25-point loss to his former membership Hawthorn on June 10, the three-time premiership winner kicked two of Brisbane’s seven first-quarter targets, with each being spectacular angled efforts from ahead pockets.
He additionally had six opening-quarter disposals earlier than being compelled off with a reduce above his eye after a clashing heads with the Eagles’ Tim Kelly.
Gunston returned to the sector throughout the second quarter and completed the primary half with eight disposals.
Gunston continued to work exhausting and was rewarded with 4 extra targets within the second half in a optimistic comeback.
“Somewhere near the best of Gunston makes the Brisbane Lions a better team,” Brisbane’s triple-premiership successful nice and Fox Footy’s Alastair Lynch stated.
WOEFUL WEST COAST
They received’t be the final staff to endure a Gabba thrashing, however West Coast was barely as much as AFL normal.
Thrashed a fortnight in the past by 171 factors by the Swans, the Eagles redeemed themselves to a level with an eight-point residence loss to St Kilda final Sunday.
However, that encouraging efficiency was rapidly forgotten with one other forgettable highway efficiency.
The sport at instances appeared like a coaching run for the Lions, such was their dominance, and if not for some wayward kicking, Brisbane’s successful margin would have been much more emphatic.
The guests at the very least had the comfort of Oscar Allen having the ability preserve his report of kicking a aim in each match this season.
However, the Eagles can’t get again residence to Perth quickly sufficient forward of their conflict at Optus Oval subsequent Sunday in opposition to Richmond.
LIONS 7.3 (45) 10.8 (68) 13.14 (92) 16.20 (116)
EAGLES 2.0 (12) 2.2 (14) 3.3 (21) 5.5 (35)
GOALS
Lions: Gunston 6, McCluggage 2, Hipwood 2, Fletcher, Rayner, Wilmot, Starcevich, Bailey, McInerney
Eagles: Darling, Hunt, Allen, Williams, Kelly
MARCO MONTEVERDE’S BEST:
Lions: Neale, Ashcroft, Gunston, Lyons, Andrews
Eagles: Duggan, Kelly, Hunt, McGovern
MARCO MONTEVERDE’S 3-2-1:
3. Lachie Neale (Lions)
2. Will Ashcroft (Lions)
1. Jack Gunston (Lions)
Crowd: 24,843
Originally revealed as AFL spherical 17: Jack Gunston kicks six as Brisbane beat West Coast by 81 factors
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
