The Redland Bombers lost a nail-biting NEAFL clash against Brisbane by a single point at the Gabba on Saturday night.
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Michael Close’s behind with seconds left was all the Lions needed to snatch a 7.12 (54) to 7.11 (53) victory in a low-scoring contest.
Nick Weller started the match on fire with all three of Redland’s goals in the first quarter as the Bombers held on to a three-point lead at quarter-time.
A goal drought ensued in the second as neither side could wrestle the momentum, with Blake Grewar’s goal on the run at the 19-minute mark the only major of the term.
Jack Goodall opened up a 19-point advantage to start the third, but the Lions began to mount a challenge.
Small forward Josh Green booted two of Brisbane’s three goals for the quarter to hit the lead by two points at three-quarter time.
His fourth of the evening inside the first minute of the last had the Bombers on the back foot.
They responded with two in a row from a set shot by Damian Steven and a superb goal from 50m by defender Peter Yagmoor to put the Bombers back in front by five points at the 16-minute mark.
Green produced his fifth when he roved a pack to restore a one-point lead to the Lions. A further five tense minutes followed before a Matt Thomson point levelled the scores at the 28-minute mark, only for Close to produce the winning point moments later.
Green was outstanding with his five goals and 24 disposals in a midfield and forward role, while Sam Skinner (18 disposals and nine marks) was a pillar in defence in just his third game, supporting Hammelmann (26 disposals and 16 marks) in curtailing the impact of Redland’s key forwards.
Blake Grewar (37 disposals), Tom Salter (36) and Brad Rees (30) won plenty of the footy for the Bombers, with Yagmoor and Damian Steven (26 plus a goal) among their better players.
Redland coach Chris David said it was a chance gone begging for the young Bombers as they now prepare to face Southport in crucial clash at Fankhauser Reserve next week.
“We were pretty disappointed. We had a game plan and we didn’t execute it – it was as simple as that,” he said.
“To some degree they didn’t allow us to, but we didn’t try and take the game on and that was most disappointing for us.”
The loss prevented the Bombers from leapfrogging Sydney University and the Giants into fourth spot, while the Lions now only sit behind Gold Coast by percentage in ninth.
They take on the Sharks from 1.30pm next week with both sides fighting for a place in the top six.
Brisbane Lions v Redland Bombers at the Gabba
BRISBANE 2.5 2.6 3.10 7.12 (54)
REDLAND 3.2 4.7 5.8 7.11 (53)
GOALS – Brisbane: J Green 5, J Clayton 2. Redland: N Weller 3, B Grewar, D Steven, P Yagmoor, J Goodall.
BEST – Brisbane: J Green, M Hammelmann, S Skinner, R Mathieson, D McStay, S Cormick. Redland: T Salter, P Yagmoor, B Rees, B Grewar, D Steven.
