Gold Coast midfield and Matt Rowell need to bounce back against Brisbane in QClash

Ahead of the biggest QClash yet, Josh Barnes ranks the top 10 players in the guts from both sides — and looks at why Matt Rowell is key to the Suns making a much-needed statement.

Whether the Suns were shocked or not, they were certainly rocked by their Queensland rivals in round 8.

Normally a tough, contested team, Gold Coast was mauled by bigger brother Brisbane losing

the clearances by 19 and contested ball by 22.

Lions great Alastair Lynch was boundary-side for Fox Footy and could see it from the start.

“That was an intense contest early. The Gold Coast players didn’t have any time and space in that first half especially, Brisbane were just right on,” Lynch said this week.

“Being down there at ground level it was like, ‘Gee they are hitting hard’.

“Brisbane were up for it. They thought, ‘Hello, the little brother is coming up the road and has been playing some good footy so we better sort themselves out’.”

The Lions gave the Suns no room to move last QClash. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos

The Lions winning margin of 17 points flattered the Suns, as the experienced side put on a midfield masterclass.

It is a story the Suns have seen over and over in recent QClash match-ups and one Damien Hardwick’s team will have to answer for on Saturday.

Gold Coast has lost 12 of its last 13 games against Brisbane.

In those 12 losses, the Suns have won the clearance count just twice and cumulatively had 94 less clearances than the Lions.

Some of those games came when the Suns were battling, but it has been one-way traffic in the midfield.

Hardwick noted this week his side was brushed aside.

“The area we really struggled last time was the contested nature of the game. We probably fell a little bit short in that part, which has normally been one of our one-woods,” he said.

Skipper Noah Anderson needs to perform. Picture: AFL Photos

Hardwick is right – the Suns rank better than the Lions for contested ball differential (4.2 to 2.7) and clearance differential (4.4 to 3.5) this year.

The Suns sit second in the league and Lions third for clearances, only behind the Western Bulldogs.

Lynch, who will call the QClash from the box for Fox Footy on Saturday, said the Suns “will have to win in the midfield” to beat their rivals.

But to do so, in-form bull Matt Rowell will have to shake off the Matt Muter.

Josh Dunkley took Rowell out in round 8, limiting the inside beast to 16 disposals and one clearance, the lowest clearance tally of his career in matches where he went uninjured.

Josh Dunkley gave Matt Rowell no room to move. Picture: AFL Photos

“Will Ashcroft won the Ashcroft Medal (as best-on-ground in round 8) so he had a really good game but probably the biggest impact on the game was Josh Dunkley,” Lynch said.

“It was not only what Josh did with the ball himself, but he blanketed Matt Rowell, so there is nothing more certain, and Matt would know this and ‘Dimma’ (Hardwick) would know it, Josh Dunkley is going straight to Matt Rowell.

“That is a big challenge for Matty because he is in career-best form as well. That is going to be a massive contest.”

Rowell has notched up 12 clearances in each of his last two matches while averaging 31 disposals.

The game against the Suns always starts with Rowell and skipper Noah Anderson and Lynch said the pair – and reliable ruck Jarrod Witts – “need big games” because the Lions bat far deeper.

Alongside Dunkley, Lachie Neale, both Will and Levi Ashcroft and Jarrod Berry, Hugh McCluggage is likely having a better year than any other midfielder playing on either side.

On paper, Brisbane’s onball brigade is not only deeper, but better.

“I don’t think anyone goes as deep as Brisbane,” Lynch said.

“Almost the second wave of Brisbane’s midfield up against the Gold Coast’s is going to be a big challenge for the Suns.”

Lynch noted that flankers Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner have both ramped up form recently as speed and power weapons for Chris Fagan to run on the ball when needed.

Will Ashcroft won the medal named after his father. Picture: Getty Images

The Suns will be missing Touk Miller (hamstring) but beefed up their onball brigade by recalling big-bodied tough nut Alex Davies.

“It’s always a massive battle up against Brisbane,” Suns winger Brayden Fiorini said.

“They go really deep in their midfield with a lot of different players, who go through there and share the load but we back our boys in. We have been one of the best stoppage and clearance teams this year so we back our boys in against them.”

Given their soft draw compared to rivals, and the fact they have a game in hand, Gold Coast is still in a strong position to make the finals even if they lose another QClash.

But with a spot in the eight still on the line and the Lions ramping up to defend their title, Lynch had no doubt QClash No.29 raised the stakes once again.

“Brisbane are just ramping up now. They are actually kicking into gear after maybe just doing what they had to in the first part of the year,” he said.

“And Gold Coast is absolutely on the way to play finals, so definitely this is the biggest.”

Saturday is certainly the biggest chance for the Suns midfield to make a statement.

Originally published as Gold Coast midfield and Matt Rowell need to bounce back against Brisbane in QClash