Brett Munro, opposition coach for the Gold Coast SUNS, previews the round 18 game against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

The Key Numbers: Season

Contested Poss: difference
Gold Coast –8.2
Brisbane –22.8

Tackles: diff.
Gold Coast +4.2
Brisbane +8.2

Disposals For: average
Gold Coast 343
Brisbane 351

Disposal Efficiency % For: avg.
Gold Coast 70.7%
Brisbane 70.5%

Uncontested Marks For: avg.
Gold Coast 69
Brisbane 76

Inside 50s For: avg.
Gold Coast 44.8
Brisbane 41.2

Goals For: avg.
Gold Coast 11.8
Brisbane 7.2

The Key Players

38 Tom Rockliff
Rockliff - who missed last round through suspension - is backing up his 2013 form averaging 29 disposals (13 contested), six clearances, three inside 50s, four rebound 50s and nine tackles per game. In the round 14 loss to Fremantle, he amassed 45 disposals (21 contested), 13 clearances and 12 tackles in a brilliant individual effort.

6 Josh Green 
The small forward/midfielder has taken his game to another level in 2014 with regards to consistency, kicking a goal in every round with the exception of the previous QClash in round 3. Green is averaging 13 disposals and three Inside 50s to go with his scoring tally of 22.11 and 10 score assists. He looks to play on at every opportunity, taking the game to the opposition.

Last Round

West Coast 11.10 (76) def. Brisbane Lions 9.10 (64) @ Gabba.

Brisbane Lions Round 18 AFL Premiership Team

B Darcy Gardiner, Matt Maguire, Justin Clarke
HB Joel Patfull, Daniel McStay, Ryan Harwood
C Ashley McGrath, James Aish, Sam Mayes
HF Lewis Taylor, Michael Close, Josh Green
F Dayne Zorko, Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock
FOL Stefan Martin, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley
I/C Jack Crisp, Rohan Bewick, Claye Beams, Ryan Lester
EMG Nick Robertson, Jordan Lisle, Zac O'Brien

In the Media

Brisbane vice-captain Dayne Zorko didn’t mince his words when asked by reporters what this weekend’s game means to the Lions.

"If we're not playing finals, we definitely don't want Gold Coast playing finals," Zorko said ahead of Lions training on Thursday morning.

"It'd be great for Queensland football, but we want to be the dominant side in Queensland. There's no doubt about that."

Gold Coast utility Danny Stanley said the side was bracing for a physical, combative contest, dismissing suggestions Brisbane is a spent force in the AFL.

“They had some unlucky injuries at the start of the year, especially with Daniel Rich (knee) and you never take any team lightly.

“They’ve played some reasonable football in the past few weeks and they may not have had the year they would have liked but we are certainly looking at them as very dangerous opposition.”