QClash between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns set to be the biggest in history
Gold Coast’s blistering start to the 2025 AFL season has set up one of the most significant QClash games in the derby’s short history. This is why.
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Gold Coast’s blistering start to the 2025 AFL season has set up one of the most significant QClash games in the derby’s short history.
The Suns conjured up a stunning second half comeback to beat the Sydney Swans by 38-points in front of 18,034 fans at People First Stadium on Sunday.
Gold Coast delivered one of its poorest first halves in recent memory on Sunday before flipping the game on its head to finish 17.15 (117) to 12.7 (79) winners against Sydney in Round 7 of the AFL.
The Suns now hold a 5-1 win-loss record going into the Round 8 clash with Brisbane at the Gabba on Sunday.
The QClash shapes as one of the biggest ever with both clubs sitting in the top three. For the first time one club, Brisbane, comes into the game as the reigning premiers while Gold Coast have never started a season better.
“It’s great for the state isn’t it. I look at it and Brisbane are a side who are the reigning premiers, a fantastic side that has the ability to win games,” Suns coach Damien Hardwick said.
“We are starting to improve which is really important. It’s a great measuring stick.
“Once again another really proud footy club we are looking to emulate. We got a great taste of it against (Sydney).
“We knew they would come out firing. Next week we get a really important challenge against a side we haven’t done particularly well against.”
Gold Coast were at sea in the opening two quarters against the Swans who were so dominant in the middle that they led the clearances 8-1 at the end of the first quarter.
Sydney were faster, sharper, cleaner and applied more pressure than a Gold Coast side that looked behind the pace but managed to remain within 17-points at the main break.
Defender John Noble led the way for Gold Coast and forward Ben King kicked the Suns into the lead before blowing Sydney off the park, booting five goals for the third time this season.
“We were getting belted at the centre bounce, I think it was 0-8 so you are starting off the back foot. “Then when you start that way then Heeney running forward causes issues as well.
“I thought the guys started to get the game more on our terms. I thought our first 10 minutes of quarter two was better, had an ordinary patch in the middle of the second then came home strong late.
“In the second half we started to get some ascendancy through that central part of the ground which is really important. I thought Witta (ruckman Jarrod Witts) really stood up, Noah Anderson battling a tag did a great job and Rowelly (Matt Rowell) sort of in effect as well.
“They stood up in critical moments. One guy we sort of forget with those other two sometimes is Touk Miller is having an incredible season. I was pleased with all our midfield guys.”
Originally published as QClash between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns set to be the biggest in history
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