A four-goal haul from Sam Day and another Marcus Ashcroft medal-winning performance for Gary Ablett saw Gold Coast snap a five-game QClash losing streak when the team hosted the Brisbane Lions in round three at Metricon Stadium.
It was pure dominance from Queensland’s new finals hopefuls, with the SUNS demonstrating the shift of AFL power in the Sunshine State.
Led by a sublime 39-possession, three goal display from Ablett, Gold Coast steamrolled their closest AFL neighbours by 53 points earlier this season.
To their credit, the Lions managed to get within eight points midway through the third term, but the stark improvement from the SUNS shined through, as Guy McKenna’s charges kicked eight consecutive goals to run our comfortable 17.12 (114) to 9.7 (61) winners.
Dion Prestia showed glimpses of taking that next step up in the AFL, shadowing his star captain’s brilliant efforts by picking up 32 touches of his own.
Fellow midfield accomplice David Swallow continued his terrific start to the season, turning in a polished performance for Gold Coast’s engine room.
While the clearance winners were at their best, Steven May added a touch of nasty in defence, providing the opening term highlight with a damaging shirtfront on Dayne Zorko.
The visitors gave a momentary yelp early in the third quarter, but Gold Coast lifted its intensity and had winners all over the ground.
GOLD COAST 2.2 5.6 12.10 17.12 (114)
BRISBANE LIONS 1.2 3.4 6.4 9.7 (61)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Day 4, Ablett 3, Swallow 2, Matera 2, Harbrow, Lemmens, Kolodjashnij, Shaw, Lynch, O’Meara
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff 3, Paparone 2, Taylor, Aish, Mayes, Hanley
BEST
Gold Coast: Ablett, May, Day, Swallow, O’Meara, Kolodjashnij
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Paparone, Moloney
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Rich (knee)
SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Aaron Hall replaced by Matt Shaw in the fourth quarter
Brisbane Lions: Daniel Rich (knee) replaced by James Aish in the second quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Ryan, Kamolins and Jeffery
Official crowd: 16,593 at Metricon Stadium
