Gold Coast star Noah Anderson talks Suns’ forward woes, flipping QClash script on Brisbane Lions

The Gold Coast Suns seem well aware of their issues going forward ahead of a must-win QClash against rivals Brisbane, with a midfield star defending their underperforming forward line.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 20: Ben King and Ned Moyle of the Suns look dejected after a loss during the 2024 AFL Round 19 match between the GWS GIANTS and the Gold Coast Suns at ENGIE Stadium on July 20, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Don’t tell the Gold Coast Suns what it is they’re doing wrong. They know.

Ahead of Saturday’s do-or-die QClash against Brisbane, superstar midfielder Noah Anderson was frank in his assessment of the Suns’ struggles forward of centre.

In most metrics last weekend the Suns outperformed GWS, yet their profligacy inside 50 once again came back to bite them in a 39-point defeat that leaves them needing to win four of their final five games to have a chance at playing finals.

“A lot of the game we actually played the way we wanted to. We played the game in our front half, so our system was really good (and) stoppages were good, so a lot of the game that we’ve been working on had been a positive,” Anderson declared.

“It’s just that anomaly of not being able to connect with the forward line. It’s been a little bit of a theme in the last fortnight, month or so. It’s something that we’ve been implementing through training the last few weeks so we’re still slowly trying to reap the rewards of that.”

The Suns are looking to flip the QClash script. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Gold Coast had 19 more inside 50s but was wasteful with its opportunities while, while the Giants capitalised on theirs.

“It’s as much on the midfield as it is the forwards,” Anderson said.

“We have to give them some really predictable and good looks forward of the ball and it’s on them to put themselves in good positions to impact the game.”

The Suns have been handed a gilt-edged opportunity to upset the red-hot Lions this weekend.

Brisbane’s key defensive stocks have taken a major hit with skipper Harris Andrews ruled out due to concussion and Darragh Joyce suffering a broken jaw.

Jack Payne is still nursing a foot injury that will keep him sidelined for another few weeks, while Darcy Gardiner and Tom Doedee are both out for the season with knee injuries.

It leaves 192cm Ryan Lester as the only recognised key defender.

“To be honest it’s got nothing to do with me as a midfielder,” Anderson said when asked whether the Suns could take advantage of Brisbane’s smaller backline.

“Maybe if you ask Kingy (Ben King), I don’t know what he would say but I assume he would say he’s taking it very seriously like any other week.”

Anderson will play in game 100 this weekend.

He has played against Brisbane eight times – seven of those losses.

The Lions will be missing star defender Harris Andrews. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

The only win came in the corresponding fixture last season, when the Suns shocked the top four-bound Lions to the tune of 41 points.

Damien Hardwick’s men had high expectations of springing a Gabba upset when the two sides squared off earlier this season but were instead sent crashing back to earth with a 34-point defeat.

Anderson said it was only natural to use Brisbane as a benchmark given their rivals’ status as one of the best teams in the competition over the course of his career.

“Last year was the first time I’d beaten them,” he said.

“A bit of a little brother, big brother situation I guess. So there’s a fair bit of frustration and anger that they’ve had the number on us over the last four or five years.”

Originally published as Gold Coast star Noah Anderson talks Suns’ forward woes, flipping QClash script on Brisbane Lions