Round 20 is here and we making a quick trip down to People First Stadium on the Gold Coast for QClash!

Who: Gold Coast Suns vs Brisbane Lions
Where: People First Stadium, Cararra 
When: Saturday 27th July at 4:35pm (local)
Gates Open: 2:30pm

Weekly Notices → No notices at the moment check back later!

VFL vs Gold Coast SUNS

VFL Gates Open: 12.30pm
First Bounce: 12.50pm
Please note that spectator’s will require an official AFL matchday ticket to enter the stadium for the VFL curtain raiser.

Tickets → Round 20 tickets are still on sale here.

People First Stadium → People First Stadium’s full conditions of entry are applicable to this match. The full list of permitted and prohibited items can be found HERE. People First Stadium is now CASHLESS for all transactions – including; catering, ticketing and merchandise.

Lions Shop → TBC

Food & Entertainment → Water in a sealed, plastic container, up to a maximum of 1.5L will be permitted into the Stadium. Any unsealed bottles will be emptied at the entry gates. You will be able to refill your bottles with water from any open bar – just ask the bar staff to refill your bottle. Soft drinks or drinks other water (ex. Alcohol) will be permitted in a sealed, plastic container, up to a maximum of 600mL. All other sizes or unsealed bottles will be emptied on entrance to the Stadium.

Patrons may bring homemade food items or special dietary requirements into the Stadium provided they are packaged appropriately, and the items can be easily viewed by security if requested. Commercially branded takeaway food and beverage will not be allowed into the Stadium. No items in glass, crockery or cans will be allowed into the Stadium, including glass water bottles. Insulated drink containers (Thermos) will be permitted into the Stadium, however will be subject to a search at the gates. 

Address → 338 Nerang Broadbeach Rd Carrara, QLD, 4211 Australia

Public Transport → The Stadium Traffic Area will be enforced for this event and monitored by City of Gold Coast. For more information about Council’s Traffic Area, please click here.

Free event shuttles will be running from Nerang Station, Broadbeach South Light Rail Station (outside Pacific Fair on GC Highway) and Boowaggan Road Park ‘n’ Ride. Shuttles will run regularly until the first quarter. They will run regularly again from the end of the game until an hour post-match.

Normal Translink public transport services are also operating – find your journey here: www.translink.com.au. You can use your event ticket to access free public transport on G:Link services, Queensland Rail services and Surfside Buslines from 4 hours pre-match to 4 hours post-match.

Car → Parking in the Blue Carpark will be available to purchase via Ticketek here. If you have pre-purchased a pass, the Blue Carpark entry is off Nerang Broadbeach Road heading Westbound.

Accessibility Parking → Person with Disability (PWD) parking is available in the BLUE CARPARK for ticketholders. PWD parking must be pre-purchased using the link above (if tickets are still available) and a valid Disability Parking Permit must be on display to access the parking spaces closest to the gate.

Watch → Free to air on Channel 7mate from 4:00pm or stream on Fox Footy 3 or Kayo, kicking off at 4:35pm. (local)

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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.  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.

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

BEST 
Brisbane: Zorko, Dunkley, Neale, Andrews, McCluggage, McKenna

Crowd: 30,285 at the Gabba

Its derby time in the Sunshine State!

Each game the rivalry grows, the stakes higher, and the competition fiercer as both sides fight for Queensland supremacy.

Let's not wait any longer, it’s time to get stuck into this week’s match preview.

Last Time We Met

Last time: Brisbane 10.19 (79) d Gold Coast Suns 6.9 (45) Round 8, 2024

In an unforgettable display of resilience, our boys secured a 34-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns in the Qclash 26. Despite facing one of the worst in-game injury crises in recent memory, our Lions managed to dominate the match.

Qclash 26 was marked by a series of unfortunate events, beginning with Brandon Starcevich's withdrawal due to a calf injury during the warm-up. The situation worsened as Lincoln McCarthy (knee), Noah Answerth (concussion), and Darcy Gardiner (knee) all exited the game early in the second quarter, leaving only two fit men standing on the bench for most of the final three quarters.

Despite these setbacks, our midfield, led by Lachie Neale (34 disposals), Josh Dunkley (27), and Hugh McCluggage (31), were relentless. Their high-pressure play and efficient ball movement from defence to attack overwhelmed the Suns. Aging like a fine wine, Dayne Zorko was particularly outstanding, delivering a career-best performance with 39 disposals, including 35 kicks, earning him his first Marcus Ashcroft Medal.

Who could forget the memorable debut for Brisbane draftee Logan Morris, who was unexpectedly called up after Starcevich's injury. Already having played in the VFL earlier that day, Morris found himself in the senior side and made an immediate impact, scoring a goal in the second quarter.

Now it’s time to run it back, as we head down the M1 to take on our little brother, the Suns. They’ve made People First Stadium a fortress this season and some may say we have our backs against the wall with some key outs, but as a great man once said, “when your back is against the wall, break the goddamn thing down” – Harvey Specter.

Excited About

Qclash 27 Double Header!

Queensland footy fans, especially those in Lions colours, are eagerly anticipating Qclash 27, where our boys aim to continue their dominance over the Gold Coast Suns. With a commanding 19-7 Qclash wins, the Lions are ready to roar louder than ever, as we aim to extend our winning streak and keep the Suns in the shadows. Adding to the excitement, this Qclash is a double header, featuring both the AFL and VFL sides in action today at People First Stadium.

Our senior side are riding high, having won their last seven games, while our VFL boys boast an impressive eight-game winning streak. Both teams are eager to maintain their momentum and reinforce their supremacy in the Sunshine State. So, brace yourselves for a double dose of fiery footy action as our Lions look to keep their winning streaks alive and reinforce their supremacy in the Sunshine State!

Going to the game against the Suns at People First Stadium? Plan your trip →

Match-ups we're keen for

Bailey Humphrey vs Zac Bailey

While they won't be directly opposing each other, these two dynamic players are pivotal to their teams' chances of hitting the scoreboard and influencing the contest. Zac Bailey, renowned for his explosive pace and sharp goal sense, will be key in driving the Lions' attack, using his agility and skill to break through the Suns' defence. Meanwhile, Bailey Humphrey, an emerging star for the Suns, has consistently shown his ability to find space and impose himself on a game. His presence around the contest and in front of goal will be crucial for the Suns. This intriguing subplot adds another layer of excitement to an already electric Qclash, as both players aim to be game changers for their sides.

The Brisbane juggernaut has rolled on, cracking Gold Coast's People First Stadium fortress with a 28-point QClash win on Saturday night.

Although their undersized defence was in the spotlight all week, it was the Lions' midfield and damaging half-backs that proved the difference in the 13.15 (93) to 9.11 (65) triumph.

Their eighth-straight win moves the Lions into second spot and suddenly with destiny in their own hands to secure two home finals come September.

The result almost ends Gold Coast's hopes of playing finals.

Following quiet performances against Sydney six days earlier, two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale (35 and a goal) and running mate Josh Dunkley (31 and a goal) laid the platform for victory.

Brisbane's physicality in the middle of the ground gave them a 43-31 advantage in the clearances that helped protect its backline with a 60-51 inside 50 edge.

Cam Rayner was again instrumental in victory, continuing his purple patch of form with two important second-quarter goals that put separation in the match to go with 25 disposals.

But just as he was in the teams' first match-up this season, it was Dayne Zorko adjudged best afield to win his second Marcus Ashcroft Medal.

Zorko mopped up everything in a chaotic first quarter and used his superb kicking skills to springboard Brisbane's attack.

The Magician finished with a match-high nine score involvements from his 32 touches to underline his importance.

In front of a record QClash crowd at Carrara of 21,043, the Suns had their perfect home record stopped, unable to make the most of their chances inside 50.

While their height advantage over Brisbane didn't really prove advantageous, they created enough chances to genuinely push the Lions, but could not land the killer blows.

The Suns will now need to win all four of their remaining matches – against West Coast (away), Essendon (away), Melbourne (home) and Richmond (away) – to have any hope of playing finals for the first time.

There were clearly some nerves for both teams in the opening quarter as Brisbane regularly turned the ball over in its back half.

The Suns couldn't capitalise though, with Ben King spraying a couple of set shots in a carryover from last week's struggles against Greater Western Sydney.

Nick Holman's ball-and-all tackle of Rayner that earned a free kick, 50m penalty and goal got tempers flaring, but Joe Daniher gave the visitors a quarter-time advantage with a strong mark over Sam Collins.

Brisbane got on top late in a topsy-turvy first half, with Neale and Dunkley winning the midfield arm wrestle and Rayner capitalising with two exceptional goals.

Rayner runs riot again
Cam Rayner's rise over the second half of the season continued with another outstanding performance. Last week against Sydney he was instrumental in victory and against the Suns his fingerprints were again all over the triumph. A brilliant left foot snap and booming set shot from 50m in the second quarter gave the Lions a nice buffer. He finished with 25 disposals to go along with two goals and two assists to continue his white-hot form.

Eric Hipwood's defensive initiation
Shuffled to the backline to replace injured co-captain Harris Andrews (concussion) and fellow key defender Darragh Joyce (jaw), Eric Hipwood can hold his head high. Although looking a little lost with his positioning in the opening exchanges against Ben King, Hipwood found his feet from the second quarter onwards and was able to spoil effectively in marking contests and lead his Suns opponent to ground balls. Hipwood finished with eight intercept possessions from his 10 touches and was able to add a goal when King gave away a 50m penalty in the middle of the ground. Chris Fagan now knows that should a key defender go down in a big game, he has a viable option to swing to the other end. 

GOLD COAST         2.6    5.8     7.9      9.11 (65)
BRISBANE             3.2     8.7  10.10  13.15 (93)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Rosas Jnr 2, Witts, Rowell, Long, King, Holman, Graham, Flanders
Brisbane: Daniher 2, Cameron 2, Rayner 2, McCluggage 2, Neale, Lohmann, Dunkley, Hipwood, Bailey

BEST
Gold Coast: Uwland, Jeffrey, Collins, Flanders, Anderson
Brisbane: Zorko, Neale, Rayner, Wilmot, Dunkley, Berry

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Brisbane: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Tom Berry (replaced Ned Moyle at three-quarter time)
Brisbane: Conor McKenna (replaced Shadeau Brain at three-quarter time)

Crowd: 21,043 at People First Stadium