Well, that was quite a game. In truth, the Lions were the stronger team in most respects, for most of the game, but at half time it appeared they’d kicked themselves out of it with 4.14 to that point.
They straightened up a little to kick ten goals in the second half against a Suns team that frankly struggled to match them up and stop their forward run. 66 inside 50s to 48 probably reflects the flow of the game more than any other stat.
The Lions owe their win to an even contribution from a number of key midfielders. They were always more effective in contested situations, and in turn limited the impact of that Suns engine room that had been so impressive otherwise this year. Ablett in particular had limited impact, although Hall was certainly the Suns’ best in the second half.
Hanley, Zorko, Christensen, Rich, Cutler and Bastinac all had twenty touches and made big contributions for Brisbane. The Suns just didn’t have the same impact from that number of players.
Early on, it appeared that Tom J Lynch would win the game single-handed for the Suns. He had three in the first term, but just didn’t receive the same supply for the rest of the game. He finished with five, and actually did some excellent work up the field, but the Suns weren’t able to take advantage of his superiority to the Lions’ backline for the most part.
Apart from Lynch and Hall, there’d be few Suns happy with their output. Martin had little impact, as did Prestia. Rosa and Harbrow, who’d provided drive from the backline in other games, had down games. Nick Malceski did some good things drifting forward though.
The Lions would be happy with the performance of their young backline, particularly after they appeared to struggle early. Andrews, Gardiner and Bewick played their best games of the year.
The sad talking point will be the hit on Martin by Steven May at the end of the first half. It was pretty nasty, and I imagine will be replayed quite a bit during the week. Martin looked in a lot of trouble, but was back on the field at the end of the game. Who knows, maybe he’ll be available next week. May I suspect is headed for a few weeks on the sidelines. In fairness, he appeared genuinely contrite when chatting to Martin after the final siren.
Final score
Lions 14.23 (107)
Suns 14.10 (94)
It’s Queensland Derby XI, as the Brisbane Lions host the Gold Coast Suns at the Gabba. We’ll have live scores and a live blog from 4:35pm AEST.
Both teams had disappointing seasons in 2015, but so far this season the results couldn’t be more disparate.
While the Lions have lost all three games by six goals or more, the Suns have had three comfortable victories, including an impressive upset over the Dockers in Perth.
So the form today is clearly pointing to a Gold Coast win.
The Suns boast one of the game’s greatest ever players in Gary Ablett, and arguably the form player of the league in Aaron Hall. Tom J Lynch has kicked at least four goals in each of the first three games, while Jack Martin has also started the year very well.
The Lions have faced tough opponents, and while they were competitive at times in the first two rounds, their ineffective performance last week against Geelong doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season.
At selection, Rory Thompson and Trent McKenzie are out with injury for the Suns, while Brandon Matera loses his spot in the team. They are replaced by Callum Ah Chee, ruckman Keegan Brooksby and the exciting Touk Miller.
The Lions are still without Tom Rockliff and Dayne Beams, but they do regain Daniel Rich with Billy Evans making way. Surprisingly few changes for a team that was so poor last week.
The Queensland Derby doesn’t really set the pulse racing the way the equivalent match-ups do in South or Western Australia. While there has been a certain amount of drama, there haven’t really been many high quality, high stakes contests between these teams. That may not change today.
But all the same this might be quite entertaining. The Suns play attacking footy and have been a high scoring team this season. The Lions started the season similarly, albeit without being able to stop their opponents getting away from them, even if they regressed last week.
So both teams will try to play an open, free-flowing game, moving the ball quickly. Expect Gold Coast to ultimately win this one comfortably, but it may be a worthwhile spectacle despite the result.
Join The Roar for live scores and a live blog of the match from 4:35pm AEST.
TomC
Roar Guru
Pretty tough to pick a 3-2-1. There weren't any Suns players who consistently had an impact for the entire game, while the Lions mostly had an even spread of contributors. Aaron Hall had a big second half, but didn't quite match his output from the first three rounds. Nick Malceski was the Suns best ball user. Zorko, Rich, Bewick, Christensen and Cutler could all justifiably claim to be among Brisbane's best for the game. 3. Pearce Hanley (BL) - Busy all night, but inspirational in the final quarter. He seemed to be involved in every forward drive for the Lions in the last ten minutes, and won his own ball as well as running hard into space. He had 28 disposals and two valuable goals, including a crucial snap shot to give the Lions the lead late in the game. 2. Tom Lynch (GC) - Five goals for Lynch tells a story, but not the whole story. He worked hard up the field during the all too common periods where Gold Coast were penned in their backline, and was often an important outlet. He finished with eight marks, six of them contested, and for a long time it looked like his effectiveness in the forwardline would be the deciding factor in the match. 1. Ryan Bastinac (BL) - Bastinac had his best game for some years. In a frantic, tense game he showed more composure than almost any other midfielder with sensible ball use and a cool finish from 50 to seal the win for Brisbane. But even more impressive was his work at stoppages, finishing with seven clearances as part of his 23 disposals. A complete game from the former Roo.
TomC
Roar Guru
Well, that was quite a game. In truth, the Lions were the stronger team in most respects, for most of the game, but at half time it appeared they'd kicked themselves out of it with 4.14 to that point. They straightened up a little to kick ten goals in the second half against a Suns team that frankly struggled to match them up and stop their forward run. 66 inside 50s to 48 probably reflects the flow of the game more than any other stat. The Lions owe their win to an even contribution from a number of key midfielders. They were always more effective in contested situations, and in turn limited the impact of that Suns engine room that had been so impressive otherwise this year. Ablett in particular had limited impact, although Hall was certainly the Suns best in the second half. Hanley, Zorko, Christensen, Rich, Cutler and Bastinac all had twenty touches and made big contributions for Brisbane. The Suns just didn't have the same impact from that number of players. Early on, it appeared that Tom Lynch would win the game single-handed for the Suns. He had three in the first term, but just didn't receive the same supply for the rest of the game. He finished with five, and actually did some excellent work up the field, but the Suns weren't able to take advantage of his superiority to the Lions' backline for the most part. Apart from Lynch and Hall, there'd be few Suns happy with their output. Martin had little impact, as did Prestia. Rosa and Harbrow, who'd provided drive from the backline in other games, had down games. Nick Malceski did some good things drifting forward though. The Lions would be happy with the performance of their young backline, particularly after they appeared to struggle early. Andrews, Gardiner and Bewick played their best games of the year. The sad talking point will be the hit on Martin by Steven May at the end of the first half. It was pretty nasty, and I imagine will be replayed quite a bit during the week. Martin looked in a lot of trouble, but was back on the field at the end of the game. Who knows, maybe he'll be available next week. May I suspect is headed for a few weeks on the sidelines. In fairness, he appeared genuinely contrite when chatting to Martin after the final siren.
TomC
Roar Guru
Pearce Hanley being interviewed, and seems a bit dazed by it all. He's likely to win the Marcus Ashcroft medal for best on ground. A nice image as May and Martin meet in the middle of the ground. It looked like May might have been apologising.
TomC
Roar Guru
And that's full time. Brisbane win by thirteen points.
TomC
Roar Guru
Darcy Gardiner, who has had two bad knocks to the shoulder in this game, takes a strong relieving mark to surely seal this game. What an impressive performance by the Lions.
TomC
Roar Guru
Out of bounds for a throw in forward for the Suns, with 90 seconds to play.
TomC
Roar Guru
A minute and a half to play, and the Suns go forward in desperation.
TomC
Roar Guru
Tough for the Suns now. They need three goals in two and a half minutes.
TomC
Roar Guru
Bastinac marks in the forwardline for the Lions. Three minutes left, and he'll take every second he's allowed. It's a goal from 45m! Brisbane 107 Gold Coast 94
TomC
Roar Guru
Three and a half minutes left in this one. Out of play just forward of centre for the Lions, who lead by 7 points.
TomC
Roar Guru
Claye Beams kicks into the man on the mark in the middle of the ground and the Suns will have a chance to go forward. Four minutes left in the match. Malceski pinned for deliberate out of bounds! Very harsh.
TomC
Roar Guru
Brisbane having most of the play at the moment, with 5 1/2 minutes to play.
TomC
Roar Guru
Brisbane lead by seven points, as Scache's shot misses to the far side. Six minutes to play in the match. A handy point, possibly.
TomC
Roar Guru
Stoppage forward for Brisbane. Hanley swoops and kicks through a goal! Classy goal from the Irishman. Brisbane 13.22.100 Gold Coast 14.10.94 Seven and a half minutes to play., Extraordinary scoreline from an extraordinary game.
TomC
Roar Guru
Ablett kicks long to the Suns forwardline, but Merrett spoils it through for a behind. Scores level once again. Eight minutes to play in this match.
TomC
Roar Guru
Rich streaming forward kicks long to full forward. Lester can't mark, but keeps it corralled in the forward pocket Cutler arrives to rove, and bananas through a goal. Brisbane hit the front once more! Brisbane 94 Gold Coast 93 That was very cool from young Cutler.
TomC
Roar Guru
I'd imagine it'll be more than that.
TomC
Roar Guru
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Hi TomC. Only just managed to log on now, but just wanted to get your opinion on Steven May's hit on Stefan Martin. I was thinking two weeks at the very least.
TomC
Roar Guru
Both teams are starting to flag now as the Lions get a chance. Taylor marks at half forward, but there's not much on. Eventually Lester presents in the pocket and marks well. Lester's shot is offline, another behind. Brisbane 88 Gold Coast 93 Lester has tried hard, but that's his third behind and all of them were gettable. Mind you, he's hardly alone amongst his teammates for poor kicking.