The Brisbane Lions have triumphed by 47 points in the NEAFL ‘QClash’ to leave the Gold Coast SUNS with their first loss of 2018.
Brisbane had control for most of the day, but the 12.11 (83) to 5.6 (36) was mainly on the back of a very good third quarter.
The Lions were able to get some ascendency late in the first quarter, to kick the only two goals of the term.
The SUNS kept in touch in the second quarter, with the Lions taking a 16-point lead into half-time.
In the third term, the Lions made the most of a strong breeze, kicking out to a 47-point three-quarter time lead.
Two Max Spencer goals in the first five minutes in the fourth quarter gave the SUNS a small hope, but this was short-lived with the Lions later kicking two of their own.
It wasn’t all bad for the SUNS, who were missing three of the better players from the first two weeks.
Callum Ah Chee was very good in his return from a pre-season hamstring injury, with 14 possessions, eleven of which were contested, in limited minutes.
Gold Coast SUNS Development Coach Aaron Rogers said it was pleasing to see Ah Chee back on to the field but lamented their contested ball work.
“He (Ah Chee) gave us some spark in the area we were deficient in, that contested ball,” Rogers told goldcoastfc.com.au.
“We’ll just be getting back to our bread and butter which is contested ball and tackles. That’s our brand and what we value so we’ll get our head down and bum up in that area and try to get back on the right side of the ledger” he said.
Next week the SUNS play their first game on the coast for the year at Fankhauser Reserve, Southport.
They will take on Sydney at 11am on Saturday, April 28.
Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns at South Pine Sports Complex
Brisbane Lions 2.6 4.8 10.10 12.11 (83)
Gold Coast Suns 0.3 2.4 3.5 5.6 (36)
GOALS
Brisbane: B Starcevich 2, J Barrett 2, R Bewick 2, J Walker 2, B Sloan, R Mathieson, O McInerney, C Beams
Gold Coast: M Spencer 2, E Baru, C Beaman, T Bowie
BEST
Brisbane: M Eagles, S Mayes, B Starcevich, R Mathieson, T Bell, J Frost
Gold Coast: C Ah Chee, C Ballard, J Leslie, A Hall
