Brisbane Lions boss says Damien Hardwick’s appointment at Suns a massive boost for Qld

The biggest appointment at the Gold Coast Suns since Gary Ablett Jr’s signing will have a massive impact on AFL in Queensland.

Damien Hardwick will add spice to the Queensland AFL rivalry. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann ruled out travelling to the Gold Coast for home games during the Gabba’s redevelopment but welcomed the appointment of new Suns coach Damien Hardwick as extra spice for the rivalry between the two Queensland teams.

Triple premiership-winning coach Hardwick has signed a six-year deal to coach the Suns from next season onwards, adding some more star quality that could potentially help lure Richmond gun Dustin Martin to the glitter strip.

Hardwick’s appointment is set to turn the Suns into a team that will at least contend for a finals berth every season and Swann said there was no doubt it would have a huge impact on the rivalry with the Lions and add spice to the QClash.

The Suns beat the Lions last month to end Brisbane’s run of nine straight wins in the Queensland derby.

“(Hardwick) will understand that the QClash is hopefully building,” Swann said on Tuesday.

“There’s always a little bit of niggle, and there was good niggle last time, so the first one that he’s in charge of next year, I’d say it’ll be on.

“It’s obviously a big story. He’s been a super successful coach, and he’ll give them a good profile. It is good for the code (in Queensland), no doubt about it, and it’ll be good for our rivalry.”

Lachie Neale and Touk Miller tangle in the QClash. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

However, what won’t be “on” is the Lions playing home matches at the Suns’ Heritage Bank Stadium base while the Gabba is redeveloped for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

“We don’t want to go down there ­– we’re the Brisbane Lions not the Gold Coast Lions,” Swann said.

“Everything’s on the table but we don’t want to play down there.”

The Gabba’s redevelopment is set to start in late 2025, with the Lions’ Springfield training base and the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds looming as the two options.

Both venues would also need to be redeveloped to ensure a capacity of at least 20,000.

The Lions’ new base could host AFL games. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

The second-placed Lions will guarantee themselves a top-two finish and two home finals series matches with a win over St Kilda at the Gabba on Saturday.

And if Collingwood lose to Essendon at the MCG on Friday night, the Lions will win the minor premiership if they beat the Saints.

Forward Linc McCarthy is set to miss the match with a calf injury; however, the versatile Callum Ah Chee is expected to be available despite hurting his back in Brisbane’s 24-point win over Collingwood last Friday night.

Swann said the AFL and police had identified the person in the MCG crowd who racially abused Lions star Charlie Cameron.

“Hopefully, there’s a resolution on that (by Tuesday),” he said.

“It’s incredibly disappointing. Charlie’s a fantastic player and he’s a great person. He shouldn’t be subjected to that. There are hopefully solid repercussions around this and it stops people from doing it again.”