Gold Coast demolish Brisbane to shake-up premiership race

Gold Coast have thrown a spanner in the top-eight mix with a crushing defeat of their crosstown rivals Brisbane. Get the reaction and details here.

Suns coach Damien Hardwick says Gold Coast’s record-breaking 66-point QClash victory over Brisbane will instill a new-found confidence in a side that is starting to understand it can become an AFL force.

The Suns reached 12 wins for the first time in a season courtesy of its 20.10 (130) to 9.10 (64) win over the Lions in front of 20,833 fans in wet conditions at People First Stadium on Saturday.

The winning margin exceeded the previous 64-point record set in 2015.

Gold Coast have come out of a three-game stretch against teams in the top four – Collingwood, Adelaide and Brisbane - with a 2-1 record.

The Suns have made a statement. Picture: Getty Images

It lifted the side to seventh on the ladder ahead of a run home that includes a clash against just one team currently inside the top eight.

“It’s an interesting one. I speak about narratives a little bit. To change it you’ve got to win some games, especially against really good footy clubs and the last three weeks we’ve played three of the best,” Hardwick said.

“Two-one against those there. What it probably does is instil a bit of confidence in what may be. We’re proud of the response, it was disappointing last week (against Adelaide). The guys got to work and did the job.”

Lions coach Chris Fagan is confident his premiership side will respond from the club’s worst QClash loss to take it up to AFL flag contenders Collingwood next week.

“It is hard to stay up every week, there’s no doubt about that,” Fagan said.

“That’s part and parcel of the challenge. How you reflect on it really is how you react next week and how you play next week. We’ve got a pretty hard game, Collingwood at the MCG.

“I’m confident our group will respond, they normally do. Those who have followed the Lions wouldn’t have seen a performance like that too often in the past six years.”

Efficiency going inside the forward 50m is paramount against the competition’s best and Gold Coast were clinical. The Suns booted 10.3 in the first half to take a 27-point lead into the main break.

Gold Coast had an even spread of contributors across the ground and had 10 different goal kickers, Matt Rowell earning the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for best on ground with 37 disposals and 15 clearances.

The club’s win against Collingwood was considered the biggest in its history and a second straight win at home, this time against last year’s grand final winners, has sent a statement to the rest of the league that the Gold Coast are a real threat.

Adding to Brisbane’s woes was a hamstring injury suffered by Conor McKenna who was subbed out at halftime.

"This is a clinic!"

Bailey Humphrey from 55m in the wet!! 🚀

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BATTLE OF THE MIDFIELD

It was a battle of an established premiership midfield against a young and improving centre brigade that has already taken multiple scalps in 2025.

The Suns midfield took a step forward in the QClash, gaining an ascendency at centre bounces and stoppages that limited Brisbane’s opportunities to create opportunities while laying the platform for the club’s forwards to build scoreboard pressure.

Jarrod Witts won the battle in the ruck while Gold Coast won the clearances 52-40.

DAVIES DELIVERS

A personal best performance from Alex Davies in his first AFL game of the season has reignited a career at the crossroads.

Davies had 30 disposals, seven clearances and 10 tackles, dominating against the AFL’s premier midfield contingent. His physical presence at stoppages complimented teammate and fellow midfield bull Matt Rowell perfectly and laid the platform for Anderson to take the game away from Brisbane.

Davies handpasses to his skipper. Picture: Getty Images

The 23-year-old was once considered a top 10 pick before being taken by the Suns as part of its academy concessions in 2020.

He has only played 33 games, struggling to cement a spot in Gold Coast’s midfield, and reports this week suggested he was open to a move at the end of this year despite being contracted at the Suns until the end of 2026.

His performance against Brisbane could spark his career at the Suns or at least improve his asking price for rival clubs.

SCOREBOARD

SUNS: 5.1 10.3 15.6 20.10 (130)

LIONS 2.3 4.6 5.8 9.10 (64)

BEST:

Suns: Rowell, Anderson, Witts, Long, Fiorini, Collins, Humphrey

Lions: Neale, McCluggage, Dunkley, Bailey

GOALS:

Suns: Long 4, Humphrey 3, Farrar 3, Ainsworth 3, King 2, Anderson , Holman, Fiorini, Budarick, Read.

Lions: Rayner 3, Neale, Ah Chee, McCluggage, Hipwood, Bailey.

INJURIES: Suns: N/A Lions: Conor McKenna (hamstring)

CROWD: 20,833 at People First Stadium.

BOSWELL’S BEST:

3: Rowell

2: Anderson

1: Long