GOLD Coast is still the dominant Queensland team after a 14-point QClash victory at the Gabba on Saturday that has left the Brisbane Lions wallowing in last place.
In an entertaining match between the two bottom teams, the SUNS made their decisive break with four straight goals during the third quarter and held on to win 17.12 (114) to 14.16 (100).
There was 13 lead changes, some spirited push-and-shove, Aaron Hall slamming into a goalpost and ultimately an exciting four-quarter contest in front of 20,025 fans.
Just a week after kicking a last-second goal to earn his team a draw against West Coast, Tom Lynch booted five goals and bagged himself the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for best afield.
He finished with 18 disposals and nine marks as part of his big night out.
After surviving his second quarter collision with the post, Hall was terrific in his second week in a midfield role.
The lively 24-year-old racked up 28 disposals and kicked a crucial goal on the stroke of three-quarter time to halt a mini Lions run.
It was unquestionably the best game of the 57 in his career to date.
Following a quiet first half, out-of-contract forward Charlie Dixon came to life and finished with three goals as he and Lynch again showed why they're such a potent one-two forward punch.
The victory was the SUNS' third of the season – second against the Lions – and moves them up to 16th place, two points ahead of Carlton and six ahead of their northern neighbours.
Despite winning the disposal count with a landslide 423-290 disposals and having 53 inside 50s to 43, the Lions rarely looked like troubling the visitors.
Pearce Hanley (31 touches) showed the best form of his injury-interrupted season, while ruckman Stefan Martin and midfielders Allen Christensen, Tom Rockliff and Dayne Zorko all worked tirelessly.
But it was the SUNS' night, as they snapped from some first half lethargy and moved the ball with greater speed and precision to hold the Lions at arm's length in the final term.
BRISBANE LIONS 3. 6 6. 7 10. 12 14. 16 (100)
GC SUNS 3. 4 6. 8 13. 11 17. 12 (114)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: McGuane 3, Taylor 3, McStay 2, Adcock, Christensen, Hanley, Robinson, Rockliff, Zorko
GC SUNS: Lynch 5, Dixon 3, Bennell, Day, Hall, Harbrow, Malceski, Martin, Matera, Miller, Shaw
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Hanley, Zorko, Rockliff, Taylor, Christensen, Rich
GC SUNS: Hall, Lynch, Bennell, Harbrow, Dixon, May
INJURIES
GC SUNS: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Zac O'Brien replaced Billy Evans in the fourth quarter
GC SUNS: Andrew Boston replaced Sean Lemmens in the fourth quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, H. Ryan, Hay, Armstrong
Official crowd: 20,025 at The Gabba
