The Brisbane Lions are finals bound after they beat Gold Coast for the fourth time this season by 91 points at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
The Lions completed the clean sweep with their biggest victory of the four games, leading the whole time in the 17.15 (117) to 3.8 (26) win.
The SUNS were always going to be up against it with four AFL-listed players compared to the Lions’ 16.
Brisbane started the same way they did three weeks ago against the SUNS, kicking the first goal of the game within a minute through Connor Ballenden, who finished with three majors.
The Lions were unable to take full control in the first quarter, but they still took a handy 13-point lead into quarter-time.
The SUNS had opportunities to cut the lead under 10 points early in the second quarter but were unable to, and instead, the Lions kicked away with a four-goal-to-none quarter.
The third quarter was much the same as the second, with the Lions kicking four goals to one, as the premiership quarter once again correlated with the result for the SUNS.
Finally, 10 minutes into the last quarter the SUNS kicked their second goal and added another consolation goal just before the siren.
Bizarrely, the SUNS had six more inside 50s than the Brisbane Lions but lost by over 90 points. There were some positives though, with Darcy Macpherson having 20 touches in his first game back from a broken leg.
Another highlight was the performances from SUNS Academy players Bailey Scott (31 disposals), Brodie Foster (32 disposals) and Hewago Paul Oea (20 disposals), who were all impressive.
It was Brisbane’s day though with a number of their senior players playing well, headlined by Corey Lyons and Ben Keays who both had 34 disposals.
First-year draftee Jacob Dawson had 39 disposals and eight clearances in a shining light for the SUNS.
The Lions play the GIANTS next week at Blacktown, while the SUNS will finish their season against Sydney at the SCG.
Gold Coast SUNS v Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium
BRISBANE 3.2 7.6 11.11 17.15 (117)
GOLD COAST 1.1 1.5 1.7 3.8 (26)
GOALS – Brisbane: C Ballenden 3 L Dawson 3 T Wooller 3 A Smith 2 J Barrett C Beams B Keays C Lyons D Marsh C McFadyen.
Gold Coast: B Scott J Gore E Baru.
BEST – Brisbane: C Lyons A Smith S Mayes B Keays J Barrett C Ballenden.
Gold Coast: J Schoenfield J Dawson B Scott H Paul Oea B Foster.
