But after just three encounters, the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns have already developed a healthy competition for Queensland’s bragging rights.
The simmering tension was evident in the lead-up to QClash 1, and will no doubt reach boiling point at some stage in the future.
Lions.com.au takes look back at the previous matches played between the Lions and Suns, as we prepare for QClash 4 this Saturday at Metricon Stadium.
A WAR OF WORDS
Even before a ball had been bounced between the two sides, a war of words erupted triggered by Lions midfielder Simon Black who labelled former team-mates Michael Rischitelli and Jared Brennan ‘mercenaries’ for signing with the AFL’s new franchise.
Black’s comments certainly added some heat to the build-up, and prompted Suns coach Guy McKenna to publicly declare that his team were put on the Gold Coast to clean up the mess left by the Bears.
McKenna’s comments were later criticised by former Bears coach Robert Walls and others who helped establish Queensland's first team.
The jibes haven’t been limited to words either, with the Suns earlier this week defacing a photo of Lions midfielder Daniel Rich which appeared both on their website and on a billboard near Metricon Stadium.
The incident led Rich’s teammate Jack Redden to say “the kids can do their finger paintings and the men will play footy this weekend”.
If nothing else, the public dialogue has added plenty of interest in the bubbling rivalry between Queensland’s two AFL sides.
QCLASH 1
Gold Coast 18.16 (124) def Brisbane Lions 17.14 (116)
Despite entering the match as overwhelming favourites, the Lions were ambushed by their ‘little brothers’ on their own home turf.
The Suns burst out of the blocks early to secure five-goal lead at half-time, before the Lions stormed home and looked like pulling off a come-from-behind win.
But Gold Coast steadied and secured only their second ever - and no doubt most satisfying - win by eight points.
QCLASH 2
Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) def Gold Coast 8.13 (61)
Still stung by their loss to the Suns earlier in the season, the Lions extracted revenge with a resounding 10-goal victory in Round 21 at the Gabba.
The win was set up following a five goal to one first term, with the Lions never really troubled for the remainder of the match.
The QClash Cup was returned where it belonged at the Gabba.
QCLASH 3
Brisbane Lions 17.9 (111) def Gold Coast 6.10 (46)
Buoyed by Simon Black’s earlier-than-expected return from a broken hand, the Lions booted 10 goals to one in a dominant second half to run out 65-point victors.
The second half onslaught was set-up in the middle with Black and Tom Rockliff finding plenty of the ball, while Aaron Cornelius proved the most dangerous forward on the field with a game-high four goals and 10 marks.
Captain Jonathan Brown also chimed in with three second half goals - the second of which helped him become only the fourth player in Club history to kick 500 AFL goals.
The win meant that the QClash Cup would remain at the Gabba for at least a little longer.
MARCUS ASHCROFT MEDAL
The Marcus Ashcroft Medal - named after the former 318-game Brisbane Lions Hall of Famer and triple Premiership player - is awarded to the player judged best on ground in the QClashes.
The recipient in QClash 1 was Suns midfielder Jared Brennan, who tore his former team apart with 30 disposals and countless clearances. Brennan proved a unanimous winner, although Suns pair Michael Rischitelli and Nathan Krakouer weren’t far behind.
Had the Lions stolen victory, the Medal would have likely gone to either Daniel Rich (26 disposals and three goals) or Ash McGrath (six goals) who were arguably their team’s standouts.
On the return meeting, Simon Black proved unstoppable and was duly awarded one of the few honours that didn’t already adorn his trophy cabinet.
Black collected 31 disposals to be the dominant midfielder on the field. His only real competition for the Medal came from ruckman Matthew Leuenberger who was clearly the best big man on the field.
Tom Rockliff became the third recipient of the Medal following his 37-disposal and two-goal performance in QClash 3.
Rockliff received the honour ahead of Simon Black (30 disposals) and Aaron Cornelius (four goals) who were probably the next best candidates.
Marcus Ashcroft Medallists
QClash 1 - Jared Brennan (Suns)
QClash 2 - Simon Black (Lions)
QClash 3 - Tom Rockliff (Lions)
SHARPSHOOTERS
Ash McGrath’s haul of six goals in QClash 1 remains the biggest single individual tally in a match between the Lions and Suns.
McGrath also shares the honour of having kicked the most goals in QClash history with teammate Daniel Rich.
Unfortunately for the Lions, both Rich (suspended) and McGrath (injured) will be sidelined for QClash 4.
Nathan Krakouer (5 goals) and Mitch Clark (4 goals) will also take no part in this Saturday’s match after leaving the Suns and Lions respectively during the off-season.
Most QClash Goals
6 - Ash McGrath (Lions)
6 - Daniel Rich (Lions)
5 - Todd Banfield (Lions)
5 - Nathan Krakouer (Suns)
4 - Harley Bennell (Suns)
4 - Aaron Cornelius (Lions)
4 - Mitch Clark (Lions)
A FOREIGN VENUE
While Metricon Stadium will host its first ever QClash this Saturday, it won’t be the first time these two sides have played each other at the Gold Coast venue.
The opening round of the 2012 NAB Cup pre-season competition saw the Lions overcome the Suns by just two points in wet and slippery conditions.
The Suns are still yet to secure their maiden win at Metricon Stadium despite coming agonisingly close on a number of occasions - with narrow losses to Geelong (14 points), North Melbourne (seven points), Fremantle (seven points), and Essendon (17 points) in 2012.
SIDELINED
The Brisbane Lions head into QClash 4 with a few notable absentees from their side - including Daniel Rich (suspended), Ash McGrath (hamstring) and Matthew Leuenberger (Achilles) who have all previously had significant impacts against the Suns.
The Suns, meanwhile, will be without key defender Nathan Bock for the first time in a QClash.
Handy utility Danny Stanley will also miss this week after accepting a one-match ban from the AFL Match Review Panel earlier this week.
QCLASH DEBUTS
Four players have been named to make their QClash debuts this Saturday - Elliot Yeo (Lions), Dayne Zorko (Lions), Rohan Bewick (Lions) and Josh Hall (Suns)
Zorko’s appearance will certainly get the most attention considering he was originally drafted by the Suns as a zone selection, before being on-traded to the Lions during last year’s Exchange Period.
Zorko had previously spent a number of years on the Gold Coast while playing with Broadbeach in the NEAFL, but is well and truly a Lion at heart now.
Lions Captain Jonathan Brown will line-up for just his second match against Gold Coast, after missing both encounters in 2011 with separate facial fractures.
THE ABLETT EFFECT
You can’t discuss the Suns without mentioning their Captain Gary Ablett who is arguably the competition’s best player.
Ablett amassed 33 disposals against the Lions back in Round 4 - his highest tally in a QClash - yet Lions tagger Andrew Raines probably succeeded in limiting his usual effectiveness.
It proves that regardless of how much attention Ablett receives, it is near impossible to quell his influence completely.
Most would be expecting Raines to line-up on the Suns skipper once again this Saturday, in what promises to be an intriguing sub-plot to the match itself.
