QClash4
Where: Metricon Stadium
When: 4.40pm Saturday, July 21
Who: Gold Coast SUNS v Brisbane Lions
For: QClash cup and Marcus Ashcroft Medal awarded to the player judged ‘Best on Ground’.
Don’t underestimate the confidence and self belief the Gold Coast SUNS would have gained from their win over the Richmond Tigers in Cairns last week, but more importantly the lessons that would have been learnt in the hot, humid conditions at Cazaly’s Stadium.
Confidence
While consistency continues to be a challenge for the young SUNS, recent performances suggest Guy McKenna’s charges have responded to the demands and challenges set for them following the Club’s disappointing Round 11 performance against St Kilda.
They pushed the reigning Premiers right to the final siren in round fifteen and then delivered a much needed win in Cairns, prompting many to believe they can reclaim the QClash cup and claim their second Toyota AFL Premiership win against Brisbane on Saturday.
Despite their far northern heroics, the Gold Coast have made a number of changes to their QClash side with towering Tom Lynch set to make his return from injury, providing the home side with another genuine target and some much needed muscle up front along with the super talented midfielder/half forward Luke Russell.
QClash, the history
It may only be four matches old, however the QClash rivalry has links back to the halcyon days of the Brisbane Lions and indeed even the struggling Brisbane Bears.
Assistant Coach Shaun Hart played a combined 273 games for the Brisbane Bears and Lions, claiming the prestigious Norm Smith Medal in 2001 as the Lions claimed the first of their three Toyota AFL Premierships. Similarly Mathew Kennedy played 113 games for the Brisbane Bears and 75 for the Brisbane Lions, retiring during the teams successful 91 Premiership season.
Then there is Gold Coast SUNS’ General Manager of Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft who spent more than a decade flying the flag for the AFL in Queensland including 166 games for the Brisbane Bears and 152 for the Brisbane Lions.
Ashcroft retired following the Club’s 2003 Premiership win and was recently admitted to the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame. The player judged ‘Best on Ground’ during each QClash receives the Marcus Ashcroft Medal.
There are also a number of former Brisbane Lions football operational staff and members of the club administration now working with the Gold Coast SUNS.
On field rivalries
Jared Brennan responded in brilliant fashion to jibes from former Lions team mates, winning the inaugural QClash medal as the GC SUNS sprung the upset of the season to defeat the Lions in their very first meeting at the Gabba.
Making his debut with the Lions in 2003, Brennan spent seven years at the Lions, playing 119 games for seventy five goals.
His move to the GC SUNS sparked a war of words and in the lead up to QClash1 when Brennan and another ex-Lion Michael Rischitelli were labelled mercenaries by their former team mates.
The criticism inspired Brennan and despite the taunts from the once adoring Brisbane fans, Jared racked up 30 disposals, 14 clearances and a goal as he led the GC SUNS to an historic QClash victory, his performance earning him the inaugural Marcus Ashcroft Medal.
Much has been said in the lead up to Saturday’s fourth QClash encounter and with the Brisbane Lions travelling down the M1 in a convoy of charter buses filled with roaring supporters, it’s important Gold Coast SUNS fans are out in force, ensuring Metricon Stadium is a sea of RED.
QClash4 - Tickets on Sale Now
Reserved Seat TicketsAdults from $35.50 |
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Over the Phone
Please call 1300 136 122
Ticketmaster Outlets
Gold Coast outlets: Southport Sharks, Nerang RSL & Surfers Paradise News – Renaissance. View Locations on Map
If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact the Membership Services team on 1300 661 933 (9am-5pm Monday to Friday) or email gcmembership@goldcoastfc.com.au any time.
