The Gold Coast SUNS have gone down to a slick Brisbane outfit in the VFL QClash at Metricon Stadium on Thursday night.
The SUNS showed glimpses of impressive footy but couldn’t string it together for long enough as the Lions ran away with a 8.13 (61) to 19.7 (121) victory.
There were similar scoring shots for both teams on the night, but the Lions’ effectiveness inside 50 was the difference on the night, converting 19 of 53 inside 50’s into goals.
Northern Territory forward Joel Jeffrey had one of his best games this season, presenting well in the forward line and kicking 3.3 from nine marks and 16 disposals.
Will Brodie was entrenched in the midfield and had another strong game for the SUNS, finishing with 26 disposals and seven tackles.
Small forward Hewago Paul Oea was lively around the ground and even spent a stint on the ball to give the SUNS a different dimension in the midfield.
He had 23 disposals, six marks and six tackles and was one of the SUNS’ best on the day.
Zac Smith looked confident in the ruck and matched it with Brisbane’s Archie Smith, notching 28 hitouts while also laying three tackles.
Brayden Fiorini was tried in a new role off half-back and still was able to find plenty of the football, having a team-high 32 disposals while also kicking a goal in the last five minutes of the match.
Jez McLennan looked assured in the back half with his intercepting abilities on full display, recording five marks to go with his 18 disposals.
Playing his first game in four weeks, Alex Sexton got the scoring underway for the SUNS with a vintage Sexton goal, snapping around the body from 35m out.
He kicked a second goal in similar fashion in the final quarter and finished with 19 disposals, spending time both in the forward line and on the wing.
Jordan Murdoch and Jacob Townsend both spent significant time on the bench in the opening half.
Murdoch sustained a head cut which required stitches while Townsend was sent for a concussion test after copping a stray boot to the head.
Gold Coast SUNS 2.3 3.6 4.11 8.13 (61)
Brisbane Lions 5.2 8.4 14.5 19.7 (121)
SUNS Best: Hewago Paul Oea, Joel Jeffrey, Brayden Fiorini, Alex Sexton, Jez McLennan
SUNS Goals: Jeffrey 3, Sexton 2, Fiorini, Max Pescud, Jacob Townsend
