QClash: The Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions are set to inspire the next generation of female footballers when they face off for the first time

The inaugural AFLW QClash presents a historic moment in Queensland in more ways than one.

THE inaugural AFLW QClash presents a historic moment in Queensland in more ways than one.

As 42 of Queensland’s elite prepare to run out onto Metricon Stadium and inspire the next generation of female footballers, both the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions crave bragging rights but know they are part of something bigger.

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Suns co-captain Sam Virgo started her senior football career in Queensland at the age of 25 and has already seen the state’s talent pool come in leaps and bounds.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 18: Sam Virgo of the Suns poses during a media opportunity ahead of this weekend's Q Clash at Metricon Stadium on February 18, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“I think it’s getting stronger and stronger,” she said.

“There’s a lot of work that’s gone into the talent pathway over the past few years and I think we’re seeing the fruits of that now with some really great performance across the country.

“The kids that continue to get better across Queensland, I’m really excited for when they come into the competition and they might boot me out.”

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Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich is currently in his fourth season coaching the Lions AFLW side and has welcomed the chance to claim bragging rights over his former assistant in Suns coach David Lake.

“If you had of asked me five years ago if we would have had two franchises in Queensland going so well in the first couple of weeks, I would have been rapt,” he said.

“The fact now we’re here and about to play each other in round three and we’ve got three wins between us is great for female footy in Queensland.”

The Suns and Lions are going head to head on Saturday in the first AFLW Q-Clash. Suns coach David Lake, Suns Sam Virgo, Lions Lauren Arnell and Lions Craig Starcevich at Metricon Stadium, Picture: Jerad Williams

Both Starcevich and Lake have employed exciting and attacking game styles early in the season though the Lions mentor believes part of the equation is creating a plan that’s conducive to attracting AFLW naysayers as Queensland female footy continues to grow.

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“Part of the responsibility for us is to prepare something that’s attractive,” he said.

“This year, everyone was worried about expansion taking away the quality of the comp but what we’ve seen last year and the first few rounds this year, the quality of footy is outstanding.

David Lake added that the improvement he had already seen within his own team was a great example of what female footballers can achieve in short periods of time: “If they continue to learn at the level they are, who knows where they will go.”

The Suns and Lions are going head to head on Saturday in the first AFLW Q-Clash. Lions Craig Starcevich and Suns coach David Lake, at Metricon Stadium, Picture: Jerad Williams

Nearly a week after downing Richmond by 11 points, Lake said his side had moved on quickly to prepare for the inaugural QClash.

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“It was pretty special when you walk into the unknown and don’t know what’s going to unfold in front of you and then you create that opportunity to feel that good, you deserve to roll around in it for a little bit,” he said.

“They’re a group that correct pretty quickly so I’m not too concerned that that’s still going on.”