Page 59 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

BRISBANE LIONS RESERVES
FINISHING POSITION: 1ST
HOME AND AWAY RECORD: 14 WINS, 4 LOSSES
AWARDS AND HONOURS
CLUB BEST AND FAIREST: Joel Patfull (Murray-Merrett Medal)
CLUB LEADING GOAL KICKER: Jordan Lisle
NEAFL TEAM OF THE YEAR PLAYERS: James Hawksley, Cheynee Stiller & Stephen Wrigley
OPEN STATE REPRESENTATIVES: Sam Michael & Stephen Wrigley
UNDER 21 STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Alex Kitching
SYD GUILDFORD TROPHY NOMINEES: Patrick Karnezis and
Josh Green
PLAYER RETIREMENTS: Amon Buchanan SEASON SNAPSHOT
The Brisbane Lions reserves enjoyed a very successful NEAFL season. Highlights of the season include a hard-fought semi-final victory in Darwin over the NT Thunder, winning the Northern Conference Grand Final and defeating Queanbeyan in the Cross- Conference Championship.
The aim of the Lions playing a reserves side in the NEAFL is
to provide listed players at the club with a high standard of competition and the opportunity to play together consistently as
a group. The standard of the NEAFL Northern conference in 2012 certainly provided a great environment for Lions players to develop and transition quickly and smoothly to AFL level. Players like Ryan Harwood and Josh Green are prime examples of players who used the Lions’ reserves side early in 2012 to develop and perform and then successfully make a mark at AFL level.
Standout performers for the year were Patrick Karnezis (14 games, 26.8 avg. possessions, 22 goals), Cheynee Stiller (18 games, 26.9 avg. possessions, 7 goals), Josh Dyson (20 games, 21.1 avg. possessions, 20 goals), Amon Buchanan (13 games, 26.9 avg. possessions, 14) and James Hawksley (16 games, 20.1 avg. possessions, 17 goals). Leading goal kickers for the year were Jordan Lisle (56), Aaron Cornleius (55) and Bryce Retzlaff (36). Claye Beams also stood out in the Northern conference grand final winning the Joe Grant Medal for best-on-ground. Sam Michael also achieved a deserved individual accolade winning the Andrew Ireland medal for best-on-ground in the cross-conference championship match.
The Brisbane Lions reserves lost only four games in 2012 in comparison to winning only four games in the 2011 NEAFL season. This success would not have been possible without the top-up players from the Brisbane Lions academy and the Western Magpies. Playing in a tightly contested finals series was wonderful experience for a number of the Lions’ younger players and rookies that will greatly help these players in the future. Winning two grand finals was also a fitting send off to a number of the Lions reserves players who will move on from the club in 2013.
- BRISBANE LIONS RESERVES
AFL Queensland
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