Gold Coast midfielder Harley Bennell will be sidelined for at least another two matches after aggravating a calf injury.

This means Bennell will miss this Saturday’s QClash against the Brisbane Lions – an occasion he has generally risen to in the past.

In fact, the 21-year-old flyer has arguably been the SUNS’ most consistent performer in matches against their Queensland rival, with 10 goals from his five QClashes.

The only QClash Bennell has previously missed was the inaugural one in Round 7 of 2011, which ironically resulted in the SUNS’ only win.

“Unfortunately I pulled up sore again last week,” Bennell told the Suns' website.

“It has been a pretty frustrating start to the season, but all I can do is concentrate on getting it right.”

Bennell won’t be the only QClash star not lining up in the 7th encounter between Queensland’s two AFL teams – with retired pair Simon Black and Jared Brennan other notable absentees.

Black is the undisputed ‘king’ of QClashes, having polled Brownlow votes in three of his four encounters with the SUNS – including a performance in QClash 2 which earned him the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for best afield.

Brennan, who has competed in all six of the previous encounters, was the inaugural Marcus Ashcroft Medallist in QClash 1, and generally reserved his best for when he was lining up against his former side.

The livewire forward averaged more than 22 disposals and six clearances in his matches against the Lions, and is the only SUNS player to have polled Brownlow Medal votes in two separate QClashes.