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Game 12 of the NAB Challenge sees the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions clash in Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:40pm (AEDT).
The QClash takes it turn in the NAB Challenge for the first time as a full game in tropical North Queensland on Sunday afternoon.
As a rivalry the Lions lead the head-to-head convincingly 5-1 after the 6 regular seasons clashes to date. While this is not for premiership points it will give the sides a good look at each other after a long and arduous preseason in the Queensland heat and humidity.
The Hawks gave the Lions a football lesson last week at Etihad Stadium but the Lions did opt to rest a host of regular first team players and give youngsters a chance to impress.
They will want to show their fans and the greater football public that the result was an aberration and that they are a much more competitive unit and have duly named a much stronger team for today’s clash.
Headlined by the inclusion of Captain Jed Adcock, Daniel Rich, Daniel Merrett, Tom Rockliff and Joel Patfull among others, the Lions should put on a much better show.
The Suns are coming off a last gasp win against the Bombers at Metricon Stadium on Monday night and will look to build further momentum. Gary Ablett Jr was impressive as always but he will be rested for this one along with Jaeger O’Meara. Tom Lynch will captain the side in Ablett’s absence and he has long been touted as a future leader. He will get further game time alongside fellow tall forwards Charlie Dixon and Sam Day to work on the their chemistry for the season ahead.
The Suns will also welcome back Harley Bennell and Karmichael Hunt for the first time this year after both had tough pre-seasons interrupted by injury.
There are plenty of youngsters on both sides who will get another run in the senior side and push their cause for selection in Round 1 of the season proper.
James Aish and Jack Martin in particular have come with huge wraps and both put on good displays in their sides opening clashes. We may even see them playing on one another at some stage and it will be great to watch.
With only one further practice match after the clash in Townsville both sides will want a really strong competitive showing while looking further ahead to their Round 1 opponents.
The Lions might just take this one out with a bit more experience through the senior players returning this week.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:40pm (AEDT).
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