The inaugural AFLW QClash between the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions ended in a draw, prompting coaches to laud the fledging rivalry

The AFLW world will have to wait 12 more months to find out who comes up trumps in Queensland football after the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions played out just the fourth draw in AFLW history at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

THE AFLW world will have to wait 12 more months to find out who comes up trumps in Queensland football after the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions played out just the fourth draw in AFLW history at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

SUNS AND LIONS CAN’T BE SEPARATED IN THRILLING DRAW

Assistant Lions coach Daniel Merrett declared after the game that there was ‘more rivalry’ in the inaugural female QClash than in the men’s iteration and it was easy to see why after the Suns overcame a 15 point half time deficit to draw 4.4 (28) with their Queensland competitors.

Jasmyn Hewett of the Suns handballs 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)

“Half their team played for us last year, so from a rivalry stakes, it was real for sure,” Merrett said after the game.

Despite failing to claim a last grasp win, Suns coach David Lake lauded his side’s desire to fight their way back into the contest and nearly overrun an undefeated Lions outfit.

“To be able to change the way we play to be competitive in the second half, that’s the massive thing for me,” he said.

“This is a four year team and we’re still learning.”

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Stepping in for head coach Craig Starcevich who fell ill on the eve of the match, Merrett said the Lions were lucky to escape with a draw after the Suns gained ascendancy after the half time break.

“Hopefully he (Starcevich) didn’t watch that game,” Merrett joked.

“I didn’t totally stuff it up but I almost did.

“We were second to the ball.

“When momentum starts, it’s so hard to stop and we couldn’t settle things down.”

Suns players are seen after their draw against the Lions during the Round 3 AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, February 22, 2020 (AAP Image/Darren England) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

With the Suns down by nine points at the final break, Lake said star midfielder Jamie Stanton delivered an ‘impassioned’ plea to the Suns which very nearly delivered the Suns their second AFLW win after defeating Richmond last weekend.

Former Lions forward Kalinda Howarth, who Lake labelled the ‘Stevie J of women’s footy’ reminded her former side what they were missing when she goaled with four minutes to go in the last quarter, levelling the scores at 28-28.

But despite numerous opportunities, the Suns couldn’t find the sticks one final time as a desperate smother from Lions teenager Lily Postlethwaite denied the Suns a historic QClash victory.

“Just kick a bloody point,” winger Tiarna Ernst said of her mentality in the dying seconds.

“I think we all had the mentality that we could get over the line so it’s a bit disappointing we didn’t get there in the end.”

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Lion’s defender Kate Lutkins was judged best on ground on the back of another impressive rebounding performance while Kalinda Howarth was best for the Suns with three goals.

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.

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)

The Suns however fought back in the second as Kalinda Howarth kicked two of her three goals, her second coming moments after she landed awkwardly in a marking contest, to reduce the deficit to 15 points at half time.

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With Queensland bragging rights on the line, the intensity lifted within seconds of the siren sounding to mark the start of the fourth quarter as Leah Kaslar and Sophie Conway both left the ground visibly shaken after heavy hits.

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Howarth kicked her third with just over four minutes to play but a manic finish meant neither side could score a much needed breakthrough.