QClash is back at the Gabba for Round 8.

Who: Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast SUNS
Where: The Gabba, Vulture St, Woolloongabba QLD 4102
When: Sunday 5th May at 7:10pm (local)
Gates Open: 5:45pm, check your ticket for your entry gate.
Entry Conditions: Please read here

Weekly Notices → No weekly notices at the moment. Check back later! 

Tickets → Tickets are ON SALE for Round 8. You can still become a member today and secure your seat!

AreaVIP → Sit like a Fan. Feel like a VIP. 

GG →  I’m best served in groups and I’m waiting for you to have your next Instagram-able moment. I’m doing footy a little differently and G, I think you’re going to like me.

The Verandah → SOLD OUT Presented by Brook's Blooms, immerse yourself in the exclusive privileges of “The Verandah”, boasting access to a private bar, a meticulously styled space, and countless opportunities for capturing unforgettable moments to add to your social media feed.

Premiership Lounge → Offers a luxurious setting to reinvigorate, relax and revel in the golden days of old and new before, during, and after the goosebump-enducing action on field.

TAB Pool Room → Will proudly display iconic Brisbane Lions memorabilia, a home to celebrate Brisbane Lions legends on and off the field.

Lions Park → Located outside Gate 2 starting from 4:40pm. Treat the kids to rock climbing and face painting! We'll have interactive activations from Caltex Spin to Win, Triple M, Star Liquor Giveaways ^{(no alcohol)} and Hyundai. You'll not miss the large inflatable Sherrin - so make sure to take a snap! 

Food & Drinks → Gabba food and beverage outlets will be open on all levels and gates.

Lions Shop → Our main shop is located near Gate 2, open from 10:00am - late. We will also have a pop up set up in Lions Park from 5:00pm for you to get your merch fix! Gates 2 and 9 are open from when gates open until 10min after first siren. Gate 4, Upper 7, Upper 4 are open from when gates open until 3/4 time. Collingwood merch will be located in the lower level of Gate 7.

Trains & Buses → The easiest way to get to The Gabba. Your event ticket entitles you to TRAVEL FREE, to and from matches, on the Queensland Rail City Network (excluding Airtrain). Brisbane City Council buses or a special event shuttle service from 4 hours prior to the event.

Woolloongabba Bus Station → From March 2024, a new temporary footpath will be open between Woolloongabba station platform 2 and Main Street on AFL game days. You can also continue to use the pedestrian overpass which has both lifts and stairs. For further information, please visit the @TransLink website or contact Cross River Rail at 1800 010 875.

Remember to always plan your trip: Plan ahead →

Parking → There is no public parking at The Gabba. Fifteen minute parking limits apply across most of The Gabba Traffic Area on event days – we strongly recommend taking advantage of the public transport options. Find out more about parking restrictions around The Gabba on the Brisbane City Council website. 

Accessible Parking → An accessibility drop off zone is located near Gate 5 on Linton Street (near Duke St). There is limited accessibility parking across from Gate 5 on Duke St – you will require a PWD permit to access this area and is first in, first served. For all PWD and accessibility information, please visit The Gabba's accessibility page.

Drop Off/Pick Up → Due to road closures and changed traffic conditions we strongly recommend catching public transport to The Gabba, however should you wish to be dropped off or picked up this can be facilitated via designated drop off points just a short walk from the venue on either Princess Street, Potts Street or Hubert Street. Ask your lift legend to type Princess Street, Potts Street or Hubert Street into their GPS. 

Bike, Scooter & Walking → Bike and walking paths are available to access the stadium, snag a e-bike or e-scooter from the City or South Brisbane to get to The Gabba.

Watch → Free to air on Channel 7mate or stream on Foxtel, Fox Footy or Kayo.

Remember! Sign up with a Digital Membership to get discounted Kayo! Become a member today →

GOLD COAST     2.2      5.3    10.3     15.6 (96)
BRISBANE          3.3     4.6    6.10     7.13 (55)

GOALS 
Brisbane: Cameron 2, Zorko, McCluggage, McCarthy, Lohmann, Hipwood

BEST 
Brisbane: Dunkley, Coleman, McCluggage, Ah Chee, Wilmot

Crowd: 14,097 at People First Stadium (formally Heritage Bank Stadium)

If you thought the Battle of the Bridge and the Showdown were spicy, this year’s QClash is set to be LIT!

It’s big brother vs little brother, a battle as old as time, and there is plenty at stake.

So gear up as there is plenty to unpack in this week’s Match Preview.

Last Time We Met

Last time: Gold Coast SUNS 15.6 (96) d Brisbane Lions 7.13 (55), Round 20, 2023

The last time we went head-to-head with our neighbour down the M1, the SUNS were able to snap a nine-game losing streak against our boys with a 41-point upset at People First Stadium.  

There was a few spot-fires throughout the night, with Miller and Dayne Zorko reacquainting themselves with some heated words while Miller also tussled with Lachie Neale as the Gold Coast leader had a run-with role on the Brownlow Medallist.  

Safe to say it will be another fiery QClash when both teams step out onto the Gabba on Sunday night. There will be plenty of feeling in the stands as Lions fans hope to hear a few renditions of Country Roads.  

Excited About

Bruce Reville DEBUT!

Bruuuuuuuuuuuccccceeeee!

Bruce Reville’s long-awaited dream of playing AFL will come true when the 23-year-old Papua New Guinean born midfielder runs out on Sunday night.

Reville’s story is one that somewhat resembles that of a typical Hollywood underdog movie, and fortunately for the academy product it includes triumph.

Reville, a silky mover with a penetrating kick, has spent a lot of his career playing through the midfield, though is a dangerous forward who can also play down back.

We can’t wait to see Brucey and his locks in the marron, blue, and gold.

Match-ups we're keen for

QClash there are sooooo many match-ups to watch we honestly can’t pick.

So, this week we left it to the wise words of resident AFL journo Michael ‘Fish’ Whiting. These were his thoughts:

Harris Andrews v Ben King

Perhaps this will be a head-to-head, perhaps not, with Jack Payne likely to take King if the Gold Coast spearhead plays out of the goal square. Last year King made it his priority to play defensively on Andrews, helping to draw him to the ball as he attempted to break a lean run of matches. King kicked five goals in Gold Coast's upset victory, and whether it's a direct match-up or not, whichever of these two pivotal players has a bigger influence will have a big say on the outcome of the game.

Matt Rowell v Josh Dunkley

Arguably the best inside midfielder in the competition in 2024 up against Brisbane's best defensive mid. Last year Dunkley went head-to-head with Rowell at the Gabba, keeping him to 18 disposals and more importantly just three clearances. Rowell is the engine that makes Gold Coast's midfield go, winning more clearances – including more out of the centre – than any player in the AFL. Dunkley has the defensive mindset and physicality to match the former No.1 draft pick, but can he do it for an entire match?

Ben Ainsworth v Linc McCarthy

This pair play identical roles for their teams – the high half-forward who runs themselves ragged, often for little reward. Both are power athletes, both mark the ball well overhead, both have penetrating right foot kicks, and both have a major role in connecting the midfield to the forward line. McCarthy has been Brisbane's best forward this season, averaging 14 disposals, six score involvements and kicking eight goals, while Ainsworth is averaging 15, five and kicked six goals.

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Suffering one of the worst in-game injury tolls in recent memory, a courageous Brisbane has bounced back from a week under the microscope with an emphatic 34-point QClash win over Gold Coast on Sunday night.

The Lions were down to just two fit players on the bench for most of the final three quarters after Lincoln McCarthy (knee), Noah Answerth (concussion) and Darcy Gardiner (knee) were all out early in the second term.

And that came after Brandon Starcevich (calf) was ruled out following a mishap in the warm-up.

But despite getting a little wobbly on their legs early in the last quarter, Brisbane steadied the ship and won its first match of the season at the Gabba, 10.19 (79) to 6.9 (45).

The victory came in front of a bumper home crowd of 30,285 and moves the Lions to a 3-5 win-loss record ahead of a trip to Adelaide to face the Crows.

But at what cost?

Following a horror loss against Greater Western Sydney on Anzac Day, the external football public asked plenty of questions, and the Lions answered emphatically.

Their pressure was high from the outset, with Lachie Neale (34 disposals), Josh Dunkley (27) and Hugh McCluggage (31) making light work of Gold Coast's tough midfield.

They won the ball at the contest and were then slick in moving it from end to end, often with little resistance.

While the midfield did the grunt work, veteran Dayne Zorko was the standout, winning his first Marcus Ashcroft Medal with a scintillating display from half-back.

Zorko, who has played a record 23 QClashes, racked up a career best 39 disposals, including 35 kicks – most of them damaging.

He wanted the win and his teammates followed.

There was plenty of other feel-good stories on the night, with Logan Morris being rushed in as a replacement for Starcevich to debut – after playing VFL earlier in the day.

The No.31 pick from last year's draft started as the substitute, but was on the field within 15 minutes and celebrated by kicking a goal.

Harry Sharp, playing his first game for 2024, kicked a brilliant right-foot checkside goal, while debutant Bruce Reville showed he was up to the standard with 13 composed disposals.

It was a disappointing display from Gold Coast, who looked flat and were always chasing.

The latest of debut call-ups
Brisbane draftee Logan Morris started his day thinking he'd play in the VFL and then watch the seniors run around the Gabba. Well, he did that, and so much more, being the latest of late late call-ups after Brandon Starcevich hurt his calf in the warm-up. Morris was thrust into the 23 as the Lions' sub and was on the ground midway through the first term when Lincoln McCarthy (knee) got hurt. The No.31 pick capped a dream night by kicking a goal in the second quarter.

 Gold Coast's first quarter woes continue
Whatever the Suns are doing pre-match on the road is not working. Conceding 5.5 and kicking just 2.1 against the Lions in the opening term continued a run of horror first quarters away from home this season. The Western Bulldogs kicked nine goals in the opening term of their round two win over Gold Coast, while Sydney led by 25 points at the first change after kicking five goals to one. 

This timeslot could be here to stay
The AFL tried a new timeslot with this fixture and the Brisbane fans did not let it down. Positioned at 7.10pm on a Sunday night, with Queensland's Labour Day public holiday to follow, a whopping 30,285 spectators rocked up to the Gabba to see the home team win. It's the largest ever QClash crowd, crushing the previous best of 27,170 in 2013. This might become a regular timeslot on the fixture.

BRISBANE              5.5       8.8       8.17     10.19 (79)
GOLD COAST          2.1       2.4       4.5       6.9 (45)

GOALS
Brisbane: Gardiner 2, Daniher 2, Sharp, Morris, Lohmann, Dunkley, Cameron, Berry
Gold Coast: King 3, Walter, Long, Ainsworth

BEST
Brisbane: Zorko, Dunkley, Neale, Andrews, McCluggage, McKenna
Gold Coast: Miller, Flanders, Powell, Fiorini, Anderson

INJURIES
Brisbane: Starcevich (calf, replaced in selected side by Logan Morris); McCarthy (knee); Answerth (concussion); Gardiner (knee)
Gold Coast: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Logan Morris (replaced McCarthy in the first quarter)
Gold Coast: Ben Long (replaced Ethan Read at half-time)

Crowd: 30,285 at the Gabba