Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns have produced some classic moments during the QClash

FROM a Jared Brennan masterclass to Steven May’s bone-crunching shirt-front on Stef Martin. Andrew Hamilton looks at the top five QClash moments.

Stef Martin after being knocked out by Steven May. Picture: Jono Searle

WE’RE just days away from Round 1 and another highly anticipated QClash and Andrew Hamilton rates the top five QClash moments.

QCLASH 1 – MERCENARY WINS THE SHOOTOUT

Round 7, 2011. Gold Coast 18.16 (124) defeat Brisbane 17.14 (116) at the Gabba

Marcus Ashcroft Medallist: Jared Brennan

The first grenade was lobbed by Lions veteran Simon Black who labelled his former teammates Jared Brennan and Micheal Rischitelli mercenaries. While everyone recognised it as a contrived stunt to breathe life into the new rivalry it would come back to haunt him. It was more a game of basketball than footy as the ball swept from end-to-end in a shoot-out. Ash McGrath kicked six second-half goals for the Lions and Nathan Krakouer five for the Suns, the last coming from an absolute screamer of a mark. But it was Brennan’s efforts in the midfield with 30 possessions and 14 clearances that gave him and the Suns the last laugh.

Former Lion and Sun Jared Brennan claimed the first Marcus Ashcroft Medal.

QCLASH 5 – BROWNIE’S LAST BAG

Round 3, 2013. Brisbane 13.16 (94) defeat Gold Coast 13.12 (92) at Metricon Stadium.

Marcus Ashcroft Medallist: Jonathan Brown.

The closest QClash saw Jonathan Brown wind back the clock in a best-on-ground performance. It was the last five-goal haul in the stellar career of the Lions champion who retired half way through the following season. It was a lesson also for Suns defender Rory Thompson who had played perhaps the best game of his career against Nick Riewoldt in Round 1 by beating him to the ball. But he was sucked-in by Brown’s reputation and repeatedly initiated body contact. The minute he turned it into a wrestling comp the Big Dog had him.

NEW SUN: I WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT: HANLEY

QCLASH 8 - BLUEY’S BLUE

Round 18, 2014. Brisbane 16.10 (110) defeat Gold Coast 8.8 (56)

Marcus Ashcroft Medallist: Pearce Hanley

Two incidents led to former Suns coach Guy McKenna’s demise. The first came in the planning when McKenna opted to tag Lion Tom Rockliff when his coaching staff and some of the braver senior players had voiced their opinion that Pearce Hanley was the biggest danger. Sure enough the Irishman cut the Suns apart on the way to his first Ashcroft Medal. But it was a belittling post-game tirade against beloved senior Sun Jarrod Harbrow that lost McKenna the respect of the playing group.

Pearce Hanley tries to hold off Jarrod Harbrow. Picture: Zak Simmonds

QCLASH 9 - THINGS GET PERSONAL

Round 5, 2015. Gold Coast 18.10 (118) defeat Brisbane 7.12 (54)

Marcus Ashcroft Medallist: Charlie Dixon

The only year the Suns won both derbies started with their biggest defeat of the Lions and a couple that left their mark. The Suns are convinced the Lions overstated the injury to Tom Rockliff from a Steven May bump to hang their man. Rockliff was said to have a suspected broken jaw and concussion after the game. May got three weeks and Rockliff played the following week. This was also the night of former coach Justin Leppitsch’s wild half-time confrontation with NEAFL player Zac O’Brien. He never recovered from the damage it caused.

QCLASH 11 - Q CRASH

Round 4, 2016. Brisbane 14.23 (107) defeat Gold Coast 14.10 (94) The Gabba

Marcus Ashcroft Medallist: Pearce Hanley

This was the day simmering dislike boiled over into full blown hatred. The Suns went in with a 3-0 record and sitting equal top of the ladder while the Lions were winless on the bottom. A minute before the half-time siren Gold Coast defender Steven May stepped past the footy and delivered a brutal old school shirt-front to Lions ruckman Stefan Martin, knocking him out cold. May was always going to cop a hefty ban but the Lions still did their best to make sure of it with then captain Tom Rockliff saying it reminded him of footy in the 80s, the decade before he was born. May, who copped five weeks, apologised publicly and privately to Martin but it did little to wash away the bad blood between the two clubs.

Stef Martin about to get laid out by Steven May.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns have produced some classic moments during the QClash