A shoulder injury or Leo Lombard has soured an excellent night for Gold Coast at People First Stadium, as it defeated both Brisbane and Collingwood in a three-way match simulation hitout.
Lombard, the Academy graduate taken with pick No.9 in last year's AFL Draft, left the field in the final minute of play against the Lions, coming off second best after bumping Levi Ashcroft in mid-air.
The 18-year-old left the field in immense pain and will be scanned in the coming days.
Young forwards Jed Walter (three goals) and Ethan Read (two goals) showed encouraging signs in a Suns outfit that got the better of a slightly weakened Brisbane team by 10 points and the Magpies by 18.
The younger Ashcroft was at the centre of a feisty pre-season edition of the QClash, copping the hit from Lombard after earlier being on the end of a Ben Long bump.
His first outing in Lions colours was prolific and puts him well in the frame for an Opening Round debut.
Gold Coast v Brisbane
IT MIGHT have been pre-season, but most of this game had a home and away feel to it.
Brisbane kept much of its best team on the field for the first two thirds of the contest, but the fresh Suns were too much to handle.
Led by Rowell, who was incredible around the contest and dangerous when he went forward, Gold Coast came with an intensity not often seen at this time of the year.
Bailey Humphrey kicked a goal from outside 50m after getting on the end of a centre clearance, as just one highlight in an eye-catching performance.
Walter (two goals) was the dominant forward on the ground, flying for marks, crunching Ryan Lester as the veteran Lion drifted back with the flight of the ball, and competing hard at ground level.
Tempers frayed midway through the first period when Ben Long turned his shoulder into Levi Ashcroft after the Lions' father-son draftee had disposed of the ball.
Brisbane received the downfield free kick, resulting in a goal, while older brother Will and a number of teammates ran in to remonstrate with Long.
The younger Ashcroft – who seemed to be at the heart of most of the game's fiery moments – was then crunched in mid-air by Leo Lombard, with the young Sun coming off second best and clutching his right shoulder.
Lachie Weller excelled in his new wing role, John Noble had some nice moments in his club debut and Sam Collins was his usual stingy self.
GOLD COAST 4.2 7.5 (47)
BRISBANE 2.0 6.1 (37)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Walter 2, Ainsworth, Gulbin, Humphrey, Rogers, Andrew
Brisbane: Rayner 2, Beecken, Bailey, Marshall, Gallop
Gold Coast v Collingwood
After having to wait an hour between games, the Magpies rolled out a completely new outfit to face the Suns and trailed from midway through the first period.
Ethan Read kicked two goals in quick succession and when Ben King slotted a free kick from close range, Gold Coast had built a healthy lead.
By the time the second half of this game rolled around, both teams had emptied the benches and were playing a good chunk of VFL talent.
With former skipper Jarrod Witts having a dislocated finger put back in place, Ned Moyle continued to show his value as a back-up ruckman, going forward to kick two goals.
GOLD COAST 6.0 8.2 (50)
COLLINGWOOD 3.1 5.2 (32)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Read 2, Swallow 2, Moyle 2, Walter, King
Collingwood: West 2, Bennetts, Mihocek, McCreery
