Lions AFL win the battle in the mud to take first spot on the ladder

By Lions Football Club.

In the most highly anticipated re-match of the year, Lions faced up against the Ultima Roos on home soil, keen to assert themselves after their dominant Grand Final win last season.

It was well publicised that Ultima had upped the stakes in their off-season recruitment, and with the Lions adding a few key players to the mix, it promised to be a cracker of a game.

The weather however had other ideas, with 60 mm of rain overnight becoming a major factor in how the game would pan out.

It was apparent in the first quarter that it was going to be difficult to score largely due to the soggy conditions and from the pressure both teams were placing on ball receivers with stoppages and constant turnovers stamping themselves early in the game.

Neither team could make anything happen with their possession.

However, the Lions with their higher inside 50 entry rate eventually hit pay dirt courtesy of an excellent ground ball get from Simon Darlow.

He offloaded cleanly to Jacob Watson, hitting up Declan Watson with precision who then slotted sweetly to give Hay the early lead.

While a promising start, at the end of the first quarter the scoreboard reflected how difficult it was to capitalise on any forward 50 entries with Hay kicking the only major.

Ultima, with every forward entry repelled by the formidable Lions backline, went into the break goalless for the first time this season.

Second quarter was as tight as the first with multiple turnovers largely due to the sloppy conditions underfoot and a ball that weighed in heavy hampering disposal efficiency and inside 50 accuracies.

Scoring was at a standstill for both teams, until Cooper Scott, in an opportunistic moment, roved superbly to a clearance tap down at the top of the square to soccer through the Lions second major.

At this point in the game, Lions overall appeared to be handling the conditions better, peppering holes through the Ultima defensive lines, making space, and moving the ball into scoring territory.

However, not getting scoreboard reward for effort ensured Ultima though still goalless, went into the half-time break still in touch due to the fact the Lions only had two goals after all that work.

The physicality of the contest intensified in the third quarter with Lions relishing the challenge and applying a level of pressure that stopped Ultima from getting their run.

Choosing to go up the centre had paid no dividends for the Roos until this point and they needed to change their tactics if they were going to challenge the Lions.

When they finally hit the scoreboard with their first goal deep in the third, Hay had responded with two of their own.

One to Pat Jubb and a second to Declan Watson gave the Lions a little bit more breathing space going into the last quarter.

The Coaches message at the final break was clear.

The game was still scoreboard tight, and they had done too much work to let this go now.

In a stoppage heavy arm wrestle, both teams threw everything at each other and as was characteristic of the previous three quarters, scoring options were hard to come by with the ball being counter punched out of each attacking fifty from timely golden fists or transitioned from last line intercept marks.

Before Ultima could get one back on the Lions, Jack Cattanach created space, shaking an attempted tag to mark strongly inside Hay’s forward fifty adding a clutch goal at a critical point in the game.

Ultima needed five goals to take the win, they finally found ways to close the exit from their fifty-zone, keeping the ball trapped to present themselves with the next two goals.

It was too little too late though, with the response coming deep in the last and time running out to present any real challenge.

Final score Lions 5:10 40 Ultima 3: 5 23.

The pressure by Hay on the opposition key players was unrelenting.

It was their fitness that stood out, with Lions players being first to the ball or shutting down their opponents with multiple numbers to each tackle contest.

Ultima did not have enough weapons to nullify Hay’s midfield with Watson, Collis and Cattanach again doing lots of damage.

Joel Crocker was superb in the backline, calm under pressure and always in the best position to intercept and swing the momentum back into Hay’s favour.

Brad Pocock was a warrior in the defensive line up, sticking tight to his opponent and repelling any inside 50 entries with fearless counterattack straight down the middle.

In a welcome return after a yearlong layoff following injury, Hugh Crighton was dangerous with a capital D, back to his predator best hunting down opponents and providing a valuable link in forward attacking movements.

The Lions now move one game clear on the ladder, knowing they still have the game to take it up to the best.

Coaches top 6: Joel Crocker, Jacob Watson, Jack Cattanach, Hugh Crighton, Brad Pocock, Cooper Scott.

Goals: Declan Watson 2, Cooper Scott 1, Paddy Jubb 1, Jack Cattanach 1.

Home game again for the Lions this week taking on old rivals the Wandella Bombers who hold third position with two wins.

This will complete the first round of the Home and Away series and teams will have a clear idea of where they sit in the season outlook.

Lions have so far enjoyed an undefeated season. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Margie McClelland.