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.
"He was fantastic," Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said.
"He missed a couple as well and there were opportunities where players missed him when he was clear.
"He could have easily had seven or eight."
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.
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.
"It was a frustrating game in many ways," Eade said.
"Having so many players down and be able to win was a pleasing aspect of it.
"There were so many players that really didn't play that well tonight."
The Lions have now lost 11 matches in succession and host the Blues next weekend in what looms as a likely wooden spoon battle.
Again the Lions did not make the most of their opportunities.
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.
"I think that's all the players feel really, is the disappointment of a loss," Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said.
"The difference is it was in our hands and we had a chance this week.
"We had more scoring shots and a lot of the key indicators were green for us, which was good thing."
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)
GOLD COAST 3. 4 6. 8 13. 11 17. 12 (114)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: McGuane 3, Taylor 3, McStay 2, Adcock, Christensen, Hanley, Robinson, Rockliff, Zorko
Gold Coast: Lynch 5, Dixon 3, Bennell, Day, Hall, Harbrow, Malceski, Martin, Matera, Miller, Shaw
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Hanley, Zorko, Rockliff, Taylor, Christensen, Rich
Gold Coast: Hall, Lynch, Bennell, Harbrow, Dixon, May
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Zac O'Brien replaced Billy Evans in the fourth quarter
Gold Coast: Andrew Boston replaced Sean Lemmens in the fourth quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, H. Ryan, Hay, Armstrong
Official crowd: 20,025 at The Gabba
Marcus Ashcroft Medal voting
8 – 3,3,2 Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
6 – 3,2,1 Aaron Hall (Gold Coast)
3 – 2,1 Pearce Hanley (Brisbane Lions)
1 – 1 Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions)
