The Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions have drawn

The Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions have played out just the fourth draw in AFLW history in a historic day in Queensland football at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

THE Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions have played out just the fourth draw in AFLW history in a historic day in Queensland football at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

In the first AFLW QClash, neither side could be separated as the siren sounded with both sides stuck on 4.4 (28) in what was a gripping contest between an expansion side and a fourth year team.

Lions defender Kate Lutkins was judged best on ground on the back of another impressive rebounding performance while Suns forward Kalinda Howarth finished with three goals.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 22: Kalinda Howarth of the Suns celebrates a goal during the round three AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

With both sides contributing so much to Queensland female football over the years, it was in part fitting that the two couldn’t be separated despite the Suns dominating the second half and restricting Brisbane to a mere point after the long break.

Lion’s winger and birthday girl Rheanne Lugg was the hero of the first quarter, kicking two goals to gift the Lions a 12 point lead heading into quarter time.

The now 30-year-old got her first with six minutes to go in the first quarter, marking a chaos ball and strolling back to convert the kick from 25 metres out.

Her second came with just over a minute to play when Irish recruit Orla O’Dwyer executed the perfect kick to the leading Lugg.

The former Adelaide Crow again kicked truly to give her side a 12-0 lead heading into the first break.

Round 2 rising star nomination Jessie Wardlaw continued he impressive run of form with the first of the second quarter.

With the Suns usually structured defence in disarray, the 20-year-old found space out the back and marked uncontested in the pocket.

She converted with a clever check side kick and almost had a second within a minute but her kick from metres out rattled into the post.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 22: Molly Ritson of the Suns kicks during the round three AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The Suns remained under siege for the opening minutes but a strong intercept contested mark from Lauren Bella seemingly turned the tide as the home side started to generate a series of impressive possession chains.

Deep inside the Suns attacking 50, former Lion Kalinda Howarth was floored by Kate Lutkins, winning a free kick for contact below the knees.

The 20-year-old reminded her former side what they were missing, kicking the Suns first for the game from a slight angle.

Minutes later, Howarth sent fear into the Suns camp after she landed awkwardly from a flying marking attempt.

Visibly limping, the minor injury suddenly became a distant memory when the ball re-entered forward 50 and Howarth swooped on a loose ball before snapping over her shoulder from 35m out to bounce through the Suns second.

In a quarter controlled in large parts by the Suns, it was the Lions who had the final say as Sophie Conway found space in the pocket and rolled through the Lions fourth to give her side a 15 point half time lead.

In front of a 4223 strong home crowd, Brittany Perry added another goal to her season tally with an impressive mark and goal three minutes into the third quarter.

With Queensland bragging rights on the line, the intensity lifted within seconds of the siren sounding to mark the start of the fourth quarter.

Leah Kaslar was collected early in the centre square by the hip of former teammate Emily Bates.

A startled Kaslar was helped to the sidelines and didn’t appear for the rest of the game.

Lions forward Sophie Conway went down minutes later in the Suns forward 50, falling in a big tackle and struggling to her feet.

The Suns continued to press but could only manage points before Kalinda Howarth rose to the occasion.

Lining up from 35m out deep on the pocket, Howarth slotted the kick with just over four minutes to go to level the scores.

The Suns pushed mercilessly in the closing minutes but couldn’t break through for a final score, youngster Lily Postlethwaite laying a desperate spoil to deny the Suns their second win.