Lions show grit over a spirited Wandella

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The Lions were looking to make it 5 out of 5 for a perfect start to the season when they took on third placed Wandella on Saturday.

In the opening five minutes of the first quarter, it was clear the Bombers had brought the heat, exhibiting a high energy and aggression at the contest that the Lions had to withstand until they could settle into their own game style.

With the wind advantage and all the play up their end, Wandella had the first few inside 50 entries, but failing to mark cleanly and tight defence ensured the potential for early scoreboard pressure went begging.

When the Lions were finally able to move the ball into their attacking 50, Hugh Crighton swooped on a ground ball, brushing off his defender to guide the ball into the path of Jensen Hargreaves sitting at the top of the square, who snapped cleanly to get the Lions away.

From quick play-out of the centre clearance, the ball was again propelled into the Lions’ 50 with a poised Jack Cattanach adding to the scoreboard from another goal opportunity.

Momentum shifted again.

In an uncharacteristic patch of turnovers from poor disposal choice and a glut of holding the ball decisions against them, the Lions gifted multiple possessions back to the Bombers inside their attacking territory.

Fortunately, Wandella again failed to make the Lions hurt where it mattered with all that tackling effort providing no reward for effort and a rushed behind the only score.

Finding space to clear out from the opposition half, Will Collis projected the ball forward where the Lions capitalised with quick hands inside their 50 resulting in their third in-play goal on the board through the boot of Christian Foster.

While goals were traded for the rest of the quarter, the Lions were more efficient from less opportunities kicking 5:1 against the wind to Wandella’s wasteful 3:5, no doubt ruing not striking early to take the upper hand and forcing Hay into catch-up football.

Lions 5:1 31 Wandella 3:5 23

The start of the second saw play dabble in and out of the Lions attacking 50 until a pinpoint kick from Jack Bone hit up Jubby on a perfectly timed lead, mitts out, marking strongly to kick his second for the game and the Lions sixth. From the next clearance it was Crocker to Hargreaves taking a set shot at the top of the 50 to add another goal to the Lions total.

Notching up three goals in a row, Collis marked 60 metres out after a strong feed from Hargreaves, nailing the set shot with early signs and the wind advantage suggesting it could be a lucrative quarter for the Lions. Following script, a chain of handballs and a deep kick into the Lions 50 zone again, found the Wandella defenders nowhere to be found as Hargreaves ran onto an open goal square to kick his third for the match and the Lions’ fourth for the quarter.

A late goal to Wandella before halftime, but it had been largely all Lions holding a 30-point lead going into the main break.

Lions 9:5 59 Wandella 4:5 29

To their credit, Wandella found something extra at the start of the third quarter. Blistering and clean out the centre clearance, the Bombers still had a couple of tricks up their sleeve banging through the first two goals in quick succession and bridging the gap to roughly 20 points.

As happens when challenged, the Lions’ experienced leaders steadied the ship, raised the bar, and got down to business.

Mids worked harder to cut out the impact of their on-ball opponents and forwards got busier, presenting more movement and options.

Stamping out this early challenge, the defence got stingy, stopping Wandella from adding any more scoreboard pressure while the attack made the most of options presented to kick the next three, two to Jubby , who looked ominous and hungry to add more.

This was the last hint of resistance from the Bombers with the Lions going into the last with a 39-point lead and looking like they had plenty left to give.

Lions 12:10 82 Wandella 6:7 43

In the final quarter, Wandella became trapped inside their defensive 50 zone with any attempts to exit intercepted or brought to ground by the Lions with their fortress like half-field press creating unmanageable pressure. Will Collis with a set shot from outside the 50 pulled the trigger with the next two goals to the Lions and all the momentum their way.

Wandella superstar Justin Robinson, who had been kept relatively quiet by Bently Murphy in a tagging role, interrupted the Lions’ dominance briefly, taking mark of the day and presenting the Bombers with their only registration on the scoreboard for the quarter.

With a couple of unlucky posters, the Lions still managed to kick 4:5 from their domination of inside 50 entries.

Full-time Lions 16:15 111 Wandella 7:7 49.

Wandella switched really well and brought the pressure early to upset the rhythm of the Lions in patches but ultimately Hay was too strong in a good team effort to grind out the win.

Coaches top six were Will Collis, Jack Cattanach, Brad Pocock, Paddy Jubb, Joel Crocker and Bentley Murphy

Goals: Paddy Jubb 5, Will Collis 4, Jensen Hargreaves 3, Jack Cattanach 2, Christian Foster 1 and Jock Crighton 1.

First round complete and the Lions remain undefeated and top of the ladder. Next week back on the road to play Murrabit for round 2.

The Hay Lions have had a stellar year so far, undefeated in the 2024 season. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Margie McClelland.