AFL: Brisbane Lions dominate Gold Coast Suns in QClash, but left counting heavy injury toll
Gold Coast’s stopping tactics on Brisbane star midfielder Lachie Neale are under the microscope after the Brownlow Medal favourite walked from the field covered in “bruises and scratches”. His coach, Chris Fagan, was not happy.
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Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has cryptically called into question Gold Coast’s tactics after Brownlow Medal favourite Lachie Neale ended the QClash with “bruises and scratches” on his body.
A top two finish and double finals chance awaits the Brisbane Lions after they demolished a sloppy Gold Coast Suns by 45 points at the Gabba on Wednesday night.
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The win hoisted Brisbane into second place and, with just two matches remaining against Sydney (15th) and Carlton (11th), the Lions are all but certain to finish either first or second and secure two home finals.
Despite doubts over a trio of injured stars, Fagan appeared most concerned at the condition of his star ballwinner, but would not elaborate on how or who caused the scratches.
“He’s got a lot of bruises and scratches, I’ll say that,” Fagan said.
“He gets a lot of attention all the time because he is a really good player but that’s okay if it’s fair.”
When pushed on whether Suns’ players had crossed the line, Fagan said, “I’m just saying he’s got bruises and scratches on him.”
Victory was effectively a foregone conclusion at quarter time after Brisbane banged on five goals to one and the Suns were never able to recover.
It was a disappointing clash between the Queensland rivals, given Gold Coast was coming off a nine-day break to the Lions five days, but the better-rested team fumbled, missed targets and failed to man-up at crucial times.
Fagan took an indirect swipe at the Suns, saying last round’s eight-point win over Collingwood was more satisfying than Wednesday night’s victory.
“Not being disrespectful to Gold Coast, I rate wins against teams in the eight and that are challenging (for the eight) way above teams not in the eight at this point of the year.”
COVERING ANDREWS
The win was even sweeter for the Lions with second-gamer Jack Payne brilliantly standing-in for injured key defender Harris Andrews.
The 20-year-old was given the onerous task of minding the Sun’s young gun Ben King and yet did it with a certain amount of aplomb.
He took four marks in the opening term, including two contested against King who stands a towering 202cm and is in his second season.
Payne, who represented Australia at the Oceanic Games in discus, also showed he has a presence in the air with a couple of notable spoils while also being prepared to chase King into the midfield when required.
It was an auspicious start and one that will stand the Lions in good stead for the play-offs given Andrews may not be back until the preliminary final.
CHARLIE WONDERFUL
As Payne made his presence known at one end, Brisbane’s forward wiz Charlie Cameron was playing his way back into form.
The 26-year-old, who can be pulsating around goal, had scored just two goals from his past five matches.
He cast away any doubt that he would again struggle by bagging a major early in the first quarter.
The All-Australian small forward could have easily had three in the first term and given the Lions a greater lead than 28 points at the first change had he been more accurate.
He missed a hurried snap from just 15m out from directly in front while a set shot after the quarter-time siren also sailed to the right for a behind.
Cameron finished with two goals, three behinds from and 15 disposals and had eight scoring involvements.
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VICTORY AT A COST
While the Lions are finals bound, their injury concerns are mounting.
Just a couple a weeks ago their two main worries were defender Marcus Adams (foot) and ruckman Stefan Martin (back).
They lost Andrews for up to six weeks following a hamstring tear last round and now midfielder Jarrod Berry and mid-sized defender Brandon Starcevich can be added to the injury list after they failed to finish the match.
Starcevich suffered concussion after crashing to the ground, head first, after a marking contest early in the second term. He didn’t return.
A bigger worry was Berry, a vital cog in Brisbane’s midfield, who dislocated a shoulder after being flung to the ground in a tackle in the second quarter.
Compounding matters, Lincoln McCarthy copped friendly fire and suffered a serious corked leg, leaving him only able to contribute from the goalsquare. He’ll be a very sore boy tomorrow and isn’t guaranteed to back up.
While Starcevich may only miss one match, Berry’s injury has the potential to be season ending.
Fagan said the 22-year-old’s fate would be known Thursday after he had scans to determine the extent of the damage and how long he will be sidelined.
“Jarrod Berry has done some sort of a shoulder injury,” Fagan said.
“He’ll have to have some scans on that. We’ll have our fingers crossed it’s maybe two or three weeks and not a season-ender but we won’t know until it’s checked out.
“He’s convinced me his shoulder is pretty good.
“We’ve got a few injuries tonight so we will have make a few changes but that’s the good part about having a pretty health squad.”
SCOREBOARD
BRISBANE 5.4 8.6 11.10 13.10 (88)
def
GOLD COAST 1.0 4.3 5.5 6.7 (43)
GOALS
Lions: Rayner 3, Cameron 2, Zorko 2, Berry, Hipwood, McCarthy, McCluggage, McStay, Robinson
Suns: Corbett 2, King 2, Weller, Ainsworth
DARREN CARTWRIGHT’S BEST
Lions: Neale, Rich, Rayner, Hipwood, McCluggage, Zorko, Cameron
Suns: Ellis, Anderson, Lukosius, Greenwood, Weller
DARREN CARTWRIGHT’S VOTES
3 — Neale (Bris)
2 — Rich (Bris)
1 — Hipwood (Bris)
INJURIES
Brisbane: Starcevich (concussion), Berry (shoulder), McCarthy (leg cork)
Gold Coast: Nil
Originally published as AFL: Brisbane Lions dominate Gold Coast Suns in QClash, but left counting heavy injury toll