The Gold Coast Suns’ hope of playing finals football in 2014 have taken a big hit after a shock 54-point loss to their clash with the Brisbane Lions.
FINAL SCORE:
Lions 16.14 (110)
Suns 8.8 (56)
The Gold Coast Suns will be desperate to show the world they can win without legendary captain Gary Ablett Jr when they face the Brisbane Lions on Saturday afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:40 pm (AEST).
The Brisbane Lions have had a tough year, recording just four victories from sixteen matches.
Their last month has been alright though – they snatched a victory over the sixth-placed North Melbourne Kangaroos before pushing both Richmond and West Coast prior to the bye.
They’re hardly dominating, but they will enter the match with at least a small measure of confidence.
The Suns on the other hand were set for a maiden finals campaign until their captain and reigning Brownlow Medallist copped a shoulder injury that has ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
Before the bye the Suns fell to the Western Bulldogs, a team they were favoured to beat, leading to speculation as to whether or not they can make the eight without Ablett. They are now 0-6 in their short history from games he has missed.
This is the eighth edition of the ‘Q Clash’, the twice-yearly battle between these two Queensland teams. The Suns claimed victory in the first back in 2010, before the Lions went on a rampage, winning the next five meetings. However, a much-improved Suns outfit dominated the Lions in Round 3 this year, winning by 53 points.
The Lions welcome back vice-captain Tom Rockliff from suspension, and are also bringing Jack Crisp into the side. Mitch Golby will miss with a foot injury and Marco Paparone has been omitted.
The Suns have lost Kade Kolodjashnij to a hamstring injury and Tom Murphy to suspension, Luke Russell and Clay Cameron return as replacements.
Two players had a big impact on the match last time these teams met – Gary Ablett had 38 touches and kicked 3 goals, while Tom Rockliff had 35 touches and also kicked 3 goals. Ablett won’t be there this week, but Rockliff will, making his return from suspension. Can the young Lion – who has improved so much this year – put in another big performance and get his team across the line?
Prediction
The Lions are a shot here if they bring their best efforts, and the Gold Coast are a little mentally vulnerable. That said, looking purely at the talent in both teams, I see no reason for the Suns not to win.
Gold Coast by 18 points.
Can the Suns finally claim a win without Gary? Or will it be 0-7 without the skipper as the Lions claim a fifth win for the year? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:40 PM (AEST).
Josh
Expert
Well, not a great game for my plans to get the streak going again, but what can you do? Great effort by the Lions, congrats to them. Covering the big game Collingwood V Adelaide tomorrow! Come join me!
Josh
Expert
Some huge statistical games from Tom Rockliff and Pearce Hanley. Rockliff had 46 touches, 9 marks and a goal, Hanley had 45 touches and two goals. Hanley very deservedly won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for being judged best on ground in the game.
Josh
Expert
Well an all together dominant performance from the Lions. They jumped out to a big lead early on and they never really were threatened, though the Gold Coast managed to get their heads into the game enough to not be totally embarrassed at the end of it. Still, you would think that the Gold Coast's season is just about over on this basis - unlikely to make finals from here if this is the standard of football they produce with out Gary. Brisbane, on the other hand, should dodge the spoon off the back of this.
Josh
Expert
FULL TIME BRISBANE 16.14.110 GOLD COAST 8.8.56
Josh
Expert
GOAL GOLD COAST Alex Sexton slots his third goal. He's been a decent one for the Suns today. BRISBANE 16.14.110 GOLD COAST 8.8.56
Eli
Guest
Any chance of seeing à fourth goal from Josh green?
Josh
Expert
GOAL BRISBANE That's a nice way to cap it off - Daniel McStay slots a goal for the Lions out of play, the first of the young Lion's career! They're out to a 60 point lead, with about five minutes left in this game. BRISBANE 16.14.110 GOLD COAST 7.8.50
Slane
Guest
Double post.
Josh
Expert
About 27,000 at the QClash.
Josh
Expert
BEHIND GOLD COAST Behind to Alex Sexton. BRISBANE 15.14.104 GOLD COAST 7.8.50
Slane
Guest
How many people at the game? Looks a semi-decent crowd.
Josh
Expert
BEHIND GOLD COAST Bit of silliness from Tom Lynch. He has a shot on goal and at first kicks it into the umpire, but it's called back because he isn't at the mark. Form the mark, he then misses the shot. BRISBANE 15.14.104 GOLD COAST 7.7.49
Josh
Expert
GOAL BRISBANE Zorko! He kicks his second thanks to a great bit of clearance work form Pearce Hanley, and the Lions get the margin back out to 56 points. BRISBANE 15.14.104 GOLD COAST 7.6.48
Josh
Expert
Not a lot happening so far this quarter, ball is generally stuck in the centre, plenty of stoppages.
Josh
Expert
GOAL GOLD COAST Alex Sexton opens the final term with his second goal of the day, brings the margin to an even 50 points. BRISBANE 14.14.98 GOLD COAST 7.6.48
Josh
Expert
Well the Lions have it from here. Just a question of how much.
Josh
Expert
3-QUARTER TIME BRISBANE 14.14.98 GOLD COAST 6.6.42
Josh
Expert
GOAL GOLD COAST Sam Day has a set shot just before the siren goes and slots a late goal for the Suns ahead of the final change. BRISBANE 14.14.98 GOLD COAST 6.6.42
Josh
Expert
BEHIND BRISBANE He's back to missing them again - Zorko makes it 1.4 for the day with another missed kick. BRISBANE 14.14.98 GOLD COAST 5.6.36
Josh
Expert
GOAL BRISBANE Zorko! He crumbs and finally breaks through, slotting his first goal off the match after no less than three misses! The Lions move out to a 61 point lead. BRISBANE 14.13.97 GOLD COAST 5.6.36