Workman-like victory in Brisbane-Suns derby

WE'LL have to wait for Q Clash 5 to get the brutally fought battle of a derby we've been waiting for.

Brisbane-Suns clash

WE'LL have to wait for Q Clash 5 to get the brutally fought battle of a derby we've been waiting for - the one that sparks a true rivalry between these two clubs.

This wasn't chock-a-block full of bone-jarring hits or breathtaking feats of skill. But it was a true contest and perhaps the rivalry is already there among the players.

Maybe it is the respect these two sides hold for each other that sucked the life out of this game.

Because there's no sugar coating it, the Monday review session both clubs hold would be better referred to as a post mortem.

Q Clash 4 wasn't lopsided like the last two and it wasn't a game of basketball like the first. That game was exciting, but it was also a lot like a game of under-16s footy.

It looked like the determination from both clubs to ensure that neither of the above scenarios occurred again robbed this one of any real zing.

It was played by two sides desperate not to lose but unable, for some unknown reason, to take the initiative required to win.

Suns skipper Gary Ablett missed a shot he'd usually nail in his sleep, his Lions counterpart Jonathan Brown dropped a chest mark and superboot Josh Drummond, a man nicknamed the surgeon in the press box because of his precision, lobbed one out on the full.

There was physical pressure there, but it wasn't extreme. The real pressure was carried around inside of every man out there.

The Suns had the better of the early exchanges but were unable to capitalise on their chances.

The Lions owned the middle part of the game but were unable to really put any real distance between them and their opponents.

And the Suns surged home but couldn't score and then Brisbane, with the cool heads a little bit more experience provides, kicked two crucial late goals through Tom Rockliff and Rohan Bewick to seal the result.

The Suns are improving. They've got a long way to go but their last few weeks have been impressive.

Last night they smashed Brisbane in the clearances. But they were well down on handball receives and overall possessions which shows the Lions just worked harder.

And that was what it was. A workman-like victory.