The Gold Coast SUNS drew with the Brisbane Lions in an enthralling final hitout ahead of the home and away season that kicks off in under two weeks. Take a look at the media's reaction to Friday nights game.
Not much to draw from Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions encounter
Gold Coast Bulletin
Neale Grundy
IF the Suns were looking to make a statement in their final hitout before the start of the 2015 AFL Premiership season, they didn’t quite earn the right to use the punctuation they would have liked.
They could not lay claim to the exclamation mark they craved to round off their preseason after a mixed performance against the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium last night.
For the record the almost full-strength Lions, who went goalless in the second and third terms, finished the stronger in the final quarter with a Matthew Leuenberger goal sealing a 0.8.15 (63) to 1.7.12 (63) draw after a largely featureless contest.
Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions play out scrappy draw at Metricon Stadium
The Courier Mail
Greg Davis
THE standard of football failed to reach the same heights as the heat and humidity as Gold Coast and Brisbane fought out an error-riddled but entertaining draw in the NAB Challenge clash at Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
In the final pre-season hit-out for both sides, the Suns appeared to be cruising to a comfortable victory early in the fourth quarter until three rapid-fire goals to Brisbane brought the contest to life.
Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions play tie in AFL preseason clash
ABC
AAP
Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett may be in doubt for the AFL season opener but the Suns are showing promise.
Led by Harley Bennell, the undermanned Suns played a scrappy 0.8.15 (63) to 1.7.12 (63) tie against Brisbane at Carrara with Matthew Leuenberger's second goal of the final quarter ensuring scores finished level in the preseason clash.
In hot and humid conditions, which resulted in the AFL implementing its partial heat rule, Bennell was best on ground for the Suns, picking up 31 disposals and a goal.
The Suns' display will give coach Rodney Eade plenty of heart going into their April 4 season opener against Melbourne considering Ablett was absent, as were leading players Tom Lynch, Charlie Dixon, Jaeger O'Meara and Jack Martin.
Lions draw with Suns after late Leuenberger goal
afl.com.au
Michael Whiting
MATTHEW Leuenberger kicked a goal inside the final 20 seconds to salvage a draw for the Brisbane Lions in a topsy-turvy NAB Challenge match against Gold Coast at a humid Metricon Stadium on Friday night.
Gold Coast led by 23 points at the final change before the Lions kicked the first four goals of the final term to snatch the lead.
The Suns looked like they would hold on when impressive first-year player Touk Miller snapped a goal with five minutes remaining to regain the lead, but Leuenberger had the final say.
Suns under gun after Lions draw
AAP
Ed Jackson
Gold Coast's match committee has plenty to mull over, according to coach Rodney Eade with several Suns putting their spots in jeopardy for next month's AFL season opener.
Eade said going into Friday night's pre-season clash with rivals Brisbane 20 of the 22 spots up for grabs in the April 4 round one match against Melbourne had been decided.
Following the 63-all draw in a scrappy, error-filled affair in hot and humid conditions at Metricon Stadium, the Suns coach says that could be down to 16 names.
