FORM GUIDE
Based on the opening two rounds of the 2013 AFL Season, it would be hard to argue against Jonathan Brown’s statement on Tuesday that the Gold Coast Suns are currently in better form than their ‘big brothers’ the Brisbane Lions.

The Suns are currently 11th on the ladder after defeating St Kilda in Round One and pushing reigning Premiers Sydney for three quarters last weekend.

The Lions, meanwhile, are one of seven teams yet to secure their first win of the season having suffered defeats against both the Western Bulldogs (8th) and Adelaide (10th).

Also in the Suns’ favour is the fact that they are on a three-game winning streak at Metricon Stadium.

However, the Lions maintain the edge against their Queensland rivals in terms of head-to-head matches, having won three of the four QClashes.   

SELECTION TABLE
The Lions have included first-gamer Sam Mayes along with fellow former first-round draftee Jared Polec, and Irish big man Niall McKeever.

Although still inexperienced at AFL level, Mayes and Polec should add some class through the midfield and half-forward, while McKeever is a 196cm workhorse capable of playing at either end of the ground.

Claye Beams’ devastating injury blow at training earlier this week makes him the only forced change, with 20 year-old utilities Patrick Karnezis and Ryan Lester both omitted.

The Suns have regained Fremantle recruit Greg Broughton, who missed their Round 2 match against Sydney with a groin strain, and recalled Queenslander Jackson Allen for just his second AFL game.

However they will be without former Hawthorn defender Thomas Murphy (shoulder) and young gun Dion Prestia (hip).

KEY MATCH-UPS
Much has already been said about the need to curtail the influence of Gold Coast Captain Gary Ablett, and Andrew Raines looks most likely to be given that task.

It is almost impossible to stop Ablett getting his hands on the football, so it will just be a matter of how effective his possessions are that will probably determine his overall impact.

If he is given space to run – particularly up forward – he will prove a match-winner. So Raines, as always, will probably be wearing Ablett like a glove and making sure that he earns every disposal.    

Jarrod Harbrow and Pearce Hanley have been listed on the wing for their respective sides, and if they line-up on each other it could prove an intriguing battle.

Both players generate terrific run and carry through the middle and across half-back, and are among their teams’ leading players to send the ball inside 50m.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jack Redden was the Lions’ leading ball-winner last year and finished equal fourth in the Club’s Best and Fairest award, but has averaged just 15 disposals across his opening two games.

However, it’s important to remember that Redden had a relatively slow start to 2012 before hitting his straps in the second month of the season.

Gold Coast’s Charlie Dixon, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the League’s best big men in the opening two rounds of the season.

Dixon has averaged 17 disposals and kicked five goals as a forward/ruckman this season and will cause some headaches in the Lions’ camp.

At 200cm, he will certainly stretch the Lions’ defence who will already have their hands full with 196cm full-forward Sam Day.  

MISSING IN ACTION
Simon Black has arguably been the ‘QClash MVP’ since the Gold Coast’s inception, polling a total of six Brownlow Medal votes from his four games against the Suns.

Black, however, will miss his first ever QClash as he continues his recovery from pre-season knee surgery.

Matt Maguire and Brent Staker are also a couple of weeks away from returning.  

In addition to the loss of Murphy and Prestia, Nathan Bock remains sidelined for the Suns with a leg injury.

RECENT HISTORY
Since Gold Coast claimed an upset eight-point win in the first ever QClash in Round 7 of 2011, the Lions have had the upper hand against the Suns by winning their past three meetings by an average margin of 46 points.

The most recent match for premiership points between the two sides saw the Lions prevail by just 11 points in the first ever QClash played at Metricon Stadium.

The Lions led at every change in what was an incredibly tight contest, but were probably lucky to hold on in the end courtesy of the Suns’ inaccuracy in front of goal.

DID YOU KNOW…
The Lions win over the Suns at Metricon Stadium last season was the Club’s lowest winning score since the 1997 merger.

The Lions managed just 8.11 (59) – but it was enough to secure an 11-point win over the inaccurate Suns who scored 5.18 (48).

It edged out the Lions’ previous lowest winning score of 9.8 (62) against Fremantle at Subiaco in Round 16 of 2009.