A remarkable second-half comeback from Brisbane in the VFL has overshadowed a promising performance by young Bulldog Sam Darcy at Marvel Stadium.
The Western Bulldogs entered half-time with a 26-point lead, having booted 11 goals in the opening half.
Two of those came from 19-year-old Darcy, who was dropped from the AFL team after two quiet performances in the seniors.
He’d failed to trouble the scorers in Rounds 1 and 2 but exploded back to form under the roof in the reserves, booting two first half goals to go with 12 possessions.
Speaking at the main break, Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy was pleased to see the prodigious talent firing up.
Sam Darcy is on FIRE at Marvel Stadium 🔥@westernbulldogs
— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) March 30, 2023
Catch all the Smithy’s #VFL action live and free: https://t.co/3V9lTkTeJk pic.twitter.com/Jky0qGbfqJ
“He was so devoid of confidence in the first two weeks… he wasn’t ready to go,” Healy told SEN’s Sportsday.
“So they may bring him back up next week, they may play him at centre half-back as well.
“It’s great to see him firing back because he looks like one of the good young talents. In fact, he should be better than good.”
Darcy was a swingman in his first year at AFL level, but on Thursday finished with three goals from four shots, 12 disposals and six marks up forward. He also laid an impressive four tackles as a 208cm prospect.
But the performance wasn’t enough to prevent the Dogs from being swept up in Brisbane’s onslaught, with the visitors taking the lead in the dying minutes to win by eight points, 14.9.93 to 13.7.85.
They were as much as 33 points down in the second term.
Brisbane had 11 of the final 12 scoring shots, including the last eight. Deven Robertson was dominant for the Lions, enjoying 23 disposals, a goal and a massive 12 tackles.
Deven Robertson with a magic trick to keep the @lions_vfl in touching distance 🎩
— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) March 30, 2023
Catch all the Smithy’s #VFL action live and free: https://t.co/3V9lTkTeJk pic.twitter.com/9kSzI0CO5J
Jarryd Lyons was also prolific in the midfield with 31 disposals and nine clearances. Meanwhile, 2022 draftee Jaspa Fletcher played his best game in Lions colours and finished with a goal from 16 touches and six marks after an injury-interrupted pre-season.
For the Dogs, another AFL omission, Rhylee West, also responded well to his axing with three goals and 15 disposals. West was left out of Round 3 after four disposals last week against St Kilda. Dogs skipper Lachlan Sullivan was also prolific with 22 touches.