AFL Round 8 Brisbane v Gold Coast: Lions too strong in QClash as Suns falter again

The Gold Coast Suns came into with what was one of the biggest games in their club’s history – and they disappeared against big brother Brisbane. CALLUM DICK unpacks the QClash.

The Gold Coast Suns say they want to be in the spotlight but when the lights shine brightest they continue to come up short.

And who better to hold the magnifying glass than big brother?

Billed as the biggest QClash in 14 years, Sunday night followed an all-too familiar script as the Lions invited the Suns into their cage and mauled them.

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Twelve of the past 13 meetings between the two Queensland clubs have now gone in favour of Brisbane and at this point it is fair to question if the pendulum will ever swing in the other direction.

By almost every metric the Suns had been a competition benchmark this season but Brisbane bullied its little brother in brutal fashion.

Damien Hardwick’s side had averaged a league-high 63 inside 50s entering the match, but just barely breached 40 against the reigning premier. It was not the rain that killed the Suns’ ball movement – it was the complete lack of first access.

Not for the first time, the midfield featuring Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson and Touk Miller – with claims of being the best in the competition – was humbled by Brisbane’s premiership on-ball brigade.

In the third quarter alone, Lions talisman Lachie Neale amassed six clearances – one more than the Suns managed as a whole. The final tally: 47-28. A smashing.

Miller toiled hard and Anderson found plenty of the footy, but the big game class and composure of Neale, McCluggage, Dunkley and co was a stark reminder of the gap between good and great.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 04: Matt Rowell of the Suns is pressured by the defence of Lachie Neale of the Lions during the round eight AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba, on May 04, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

In February, during a practice match at People First Stadium, some Suns players took it upon themselves to tell Will Ashcroft he did not deserve the Norm Smith Medal last September.

They were left to rue those words on Sunday night, when the young gun racked up a game-high 34 disposals and nine clearances. His reward? A maiden Marcus Ashcroft Medal – presented by his father – as best on ground.

The stage was set for disappointment when Bailey Humphrey gifted Brisbane an after-the-siren goal in the first quarter when he threw a handful of Gabba turf at Jarrod Berry during his set shot run-up.

Gold Coast had kept Brisbane goalless to that point. But in the blink of an eye the Lions were three goals up soon after the second quarter restart and from there it was familiar programming.

What does the QClash mean? To Gold Coast, it is the unattainable proof that it has arrived as a genuine contender. To Brisbane, it remains a biannual opportunity to prove who is boss.

The only blight on the Lions’ win was the unfortunate hamstring injury to key forward Sam Day.

His loss might not appear pivotal to the footy layman, but Day had played an unheralded role as the backup ruck-forward in a post-Joe Daniher world.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 04: Sam Day of the Lions and Ethan Read of the Suns challenge for the ball during the round eight AFL match between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba, on May 04, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The immediate impact was Eric Hipwood shifting into the ruck to spell Oscar McInerney, but with his current purple patch of form it would feel a waste to use him in that role.

Darcy Fort has done the job many times before, but as a forward he has rarely shot the lights out.

Young gun Ty Gallop has been waiting in the wings after kicking five goals in the Brisbane back line in a pre-season practice match. Could he follow Morris’ path of last year?

Perhaps the more important question is, does it even matter who lines up inside 50? The Lions’ forward line has been on a conveyor belt this season yet they find themselves at 7-1 despite it.

Logan Morris and Kai Lohmann could come back next weekend. Charlie Cameron returned to form with three goals – could have been five – and Chris Fagan’s side just keeps humming.

Originally published as AFL Round 8 Brisbane v Gold Coast: Lions too strong in QClash as Suns falter again