Gold Coast Suns will be out to nab their second home win of the year when they host Brisbane Lions in the battle of Queensland – better known as the ‘QClash’. We’ll have live coverage of the action at Metricon Stadium from 7.40pm AEST.
Since the inception of the QClash in Gold Coast’s inception year of 2011, Brisbane has had the better of the Suns in three of their four matches.
But there’s something a bit different this time around and the Suns have seemed to reach another level this season through their young stars including Harley Bennell, David Swallow, Charlie Dixon, Zac Smith, Jaeger O’Meara and Rory Thompson.
Between the play of superstar Gary Ablett and the aforementioned youngsters this Gold Coast side is a much more intimidating task this season and I’m sure the Lions will recognise and be ready for this.
After the Lions won the NAB Cup final they are surprisingly winless this season, so you know they will come out chomping at the bit to try and scurry over this youthful Suns team.
A key player who needs to lift for the Lions is none other then their key captain Jonathan Brown.
Sadly for the Lions Brown has only managed one goal so far this season.
To make things worse his disposals, marks and tackling pressure has also dipped quite a lot.
Time to step up Browny, and what better opportunity then against the rival Suns.
I think it is quite safe to say this will be the most anticipated clash between these two sides in their short history because a win either way will have huge ramifications.
Both teams have changes this week but perhaps the biggest is Brisbane Lions young gun Claye Beams who unfortunately tore his ACL during this weeks training.
Other changes for the Lions include Karnezis and Lester losing their spots for Jared Polec, Nial McKeever and Sam Mayes.
Meanwhile, the Suns welcome back Greg Broughton from injury while also including Jackson Allen to replace Tom Murphy and Dion Prestia.
This game should be a tight contest which has the potential to break out into a fast and free flowing affair.
Who will win this game? I’ll take Gold Coast in front of their home crowd by three points.
Bill
Guest
Pretty good game in slippery conditions. The intensity increased in the last quarter and when the Lions thought they were home the Suns came back again. I like the look of the Suns and while they might stuggle to get many wins under their belt this year, they have much to be confident about for the years ahead. The Lions would be relieved to win that one, even though they only just got over the line, a win is a win. Hopefully now they can get some momentum going for the rest of the season. The crowd looked a bit sparse and 13,000 is probably a bit low, but we've also had some miserable weather over SEQ the last few days, today in particular, so that would be a factor. Edit. Can we stop calling it the QClash?
Brodie
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining our coverage of this terrific game played between two up and coming teams. Continue to enjoy our coverage tomorrow as we have another Super Sunday in store. Recapping again, it was the Lions by 2 points at the final siren. Until next time folks. Twitter - @BrodieChivers
Brodie
Roar Guru
The Brisbane Lions now have a 4-1 record against the Gold Coast Suns now in QClash history. The Marcus Ashcroft Medalist for Best on Ground goes to Jonathon Brown for his 5 goal effort. A worthy effort.
Brodie
Roar Guru
If I had Brownlow votes they would go to: 3 Votes - Daniel Rich 2 Votes - Jared Brennan 1 Vote - Harley Bennell
Brodie
Roar Guru
FULL TIME GOLD COAST SUNS - 92 BRISBANE LIONS - 94 A great game ends in terrific fashion with the ball being contested on the fringe of the Gold Coast 50. Great victory for the Lions to get there season back on track. A game like this can only brew a bigger and better rivalry.
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - UNDER 5 MINUTES The Suns get a quick answer. GOAL!!! Can the Suns get up!!! GC - 92 BNE - 94
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - UNDER 5 MINUTES The Lions rebound outstandingly through Rich, Moloney and it ends with Pierce Hanley who runs inside 50 and kicks a GOAL!!!!! Lions infront by 8! GC - 86 BNE - 94
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - UNDER 5 MINUTES Two Goals from the Suns have them charging. Ball inside the Suns 50 now with two minutes remaining. GC - 86 BNE - 88
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 8' left A great tackle by Jared Brennan goes unrewarded for the Suns. Jonathon Brown kicks the ball inside 50 and finds Rohan Bewick on a tight angle 50m out. GOAL! Terrific goal. GC Suns – 10.13.73 Brisbane Lions – 12.15.87
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 10′ left Ablett runs down Pierce Hanley for an inspirational holding the ball. Aaron Hall now has a kick for goal 40m out directly in front. Ablett is lifting in the fourth yet again. Sound familiar? Hall shanks it bad. Out on the full GC Suns – 10.13.73 Brisbane Lions – 11.15.81
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 11′ left Tom Rockliff kicks off the ground 20m out in traditional soccer style and it is a GOAL!! GC Suns – 10.13.73 Brisbane Lions – 11.15.81
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 13′ left The next goal now is ultra important for either team. The momentum swing will be huge either way. Both teams are attacking the ball hard as the intensity has reached new heights. GC Suns – 10.13.73 Brisbane Lions – 10.14.74
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 14′ left The substitute Luke Russell has a set shot for goal 40m out. Wide right, BEHIND. GC Suns – 10.13.73 Brisbane Lions – 10.14.74
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 15′ left Gold Coast's turn to rebound from 50 now as Hall wins a free kick in the square. Pushing the ball inside 50 to Ablett results in a throw in. Harbrow gets the ball 50m out and launches a bomb! BEHIND. GC Suns – 10.12.72 Brisbane Lions – 10.14.74
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 16′ left The Suns are continuing to press here through some terrific contested work through O'Meara. This young gun can play. After that great effort the Lions rebound from the Suns 50. GC Suns – 10.10.70 Brisbane Lions – 10.14.74
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 – 18′ left SUBSTITUTE ALERT GOLD COAST SUNS Off: Dixon (ankle) On: Russell GC Suns – 10.10.70 Brisbane Lions – 10.14.74
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 18' left Again Jared Brennan gets the clearance for the Suns, Steven May gets the ball from Brennan and fakes the shot on goal and finds Rory Thompson who has gone forward for the Suns. Thompson walks in and GOALS! GC Suns – 10.10.70 Brisbane Lions – 10.14.74
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 19' left Harley Bennell!!!!!! From the IMPOSSIBLE ANGLE GOALS!!!!! WOW! GC Suns – 9.10.64 Brisbane Lions – 10.14.74
Brodie
Roar Guru
Q4 - 20' left The final quarter is underway here at Metricon with the Suns finding the clearance. GC Suns – 8.10.58 Brisbane Lions – 10.14.74
Brodie
Roar Guru
THREE QUARTER TIME STATISTICS DISPOSALS: GC: Brennan 22, Ablett 21, Broughton 20, Bennell 19, Harbrow 16 BNE: Rich 21, Hanley 19, Redden 17, Golby 16, Brown 16, Raines 15 GOALS: GC: 2 Bennell, Matera, May, 1 Broughton, Day BNE: 5 Brown, 2 Green, 1 Leuenberger, Martin, Polkinghorne INSIDE 50'S: GC: 42 BNE: 45