The Brisbane Lions have triumphed by 47 points in the NEAFL ‘Q Clash’ to leave the Gold Coast SUNS with their first loss of 2018.

Brisbane had control for most of the day, but the 12.11 (83) to 5.6 (36) was mainly on the back of a very good third quarter.

The Lions were able to get some ascendancy late in the first quarter, to kick the only two goals of the term.

The Suns kept in touch in the second quarter, with the Lions taking a 16-point lead into half-time.

In the third term, the Lions made the most of a strong breeze, kicking out to a 47-point three-quarter time lead.

Two Max Spencer goals in the first five minutes in the fourth gave the SUNS a small hope, but this was short-lived with the Lions later kicking two of their own.

It wasn’t all bad for the Suns, who were missing three of the better players from the first two weeks, in Jesse Lonergan, Michael Barlow and Will Brodie.

Callum Ah Chee was very good in his return from a pre-season hamstring injury, with 14 possessions, eleven of which were contested, in limited minutes.

Brisbane Lions coach Mitch Hahn said the contested ball was an area they knew they had to try and beat the SUNS in, although he was disappointed with their disposals efficiency.

“Contested footy is one of Gold Coast’s real strengths. We really built the game up to make sure that we were able to try and match them in that area and today we were able to do that,” He told neafl.com.au.

“The Suns have kept oppositions disposal efficiency down, and unfortunately our disposal efficiency wasn’t where we wanted it to be.

“We were able to use the ball much better in the third quarter though.”

The Lions were very damaging in the third term kicking six-goals from only nine inside 50s. 

Brisbane’s defence was also very good, rebounding 81 per cent of Gold Coast’s inside 50s.

This was led by Matt Eagles, with Hahn very impressed by his performance.

Matt Eagles fends off Suns defence during NEAFL Round 3 last Sunday.

“He was fantastic! Today he was really strong. His ability to win one-on-one contests and come off his man, and to help others, was pleasing,” he said.

Eagles was well assisted by Sam Mayes and Jack Frost, who were also solid down back.

Gold Coast's Development Coach Aaron Rogers said it was pleasing to see Ah Chee back on to the field, but lamented their contested ball work.

“He (Ah Chee) gave us some spark in the area we were deficient in, that contested ball,” Rogers told goldcoastfc.com.au.

“We’ll just be getting back to our bread and butter which is contested ball and tackles. That’s our brand and what we value so we’ll get our head down and bum up in that area and try to get back on the right side of the ledger” he said.

Next week the Lions travel to Sydney to take on the Giants at Spotless Stadium, while the Suns play their first game at the coast for the year, against Sydney.

Brisbane Lions      2.6   4.8   10.10   12.11   (83)
Gold Coast Suns   0.3    2.4     3.5       5.6    (36)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions:     B Starcevich 2 J Barrett 2 R Bewick 2 J Walker 2  B Sloan R Mathieson O McInerney C Beams. 
Gold Coast Suns:   M Spencer 2 E Baru  C Beaman  T Bowie.

BEST
Brisbane Lions:     M Eagles S Mayes B Starcevich  R Mathieson T Bell J Frost. 
Gold Coast Suns:   C Ah Chee  C Ballard  J Leslie  A Hall.