The Brisbane Lions won nearly every key statistic – except for the scoreboard – as Gold Coast edged to a 14-point QClash victory at the Gabba on Saturday evening.
In an entertaining match, the Suns made their decisive break with four straight goals during the third quarter and held on to win 17.12 (114) to 14.16 (100).
There was 13 lead changes, some spirited push-and-shove, Aaron Hall slamming into a goalpost and ultimately an exciting four-quarter contest in front of 20,025 fans.
Despite winning the disposal count with a landslide 423-290 disposals and having 53 inside 50s to 43, the Lions could not push ahead of their Queensland rivals.
For the Lions, Pearce Hanley (31 touches) showed the best form of his injury-interrupted season, while ruckman Stefan Martin and midfielders Allen Christensen, Tom Rockliff, Dayne Zorko and Lewis Taylor all worked tirelessly.
But it was the Suns' night, as they snapped from some first half lethargy and moved the ball with greater speed and precision to hold the Lions at arm's length in the final term
Just a week after kicking a last-second goal to earn his team a draw against West Coast, the Suns’ Tom Lynch booted five goals and bagged himself the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for best afield.
He finished with 18 disposals and nine marks as part of his big night out.
Following a quiet first half, out-of-contract forward Charlie Dixon came to life and finished with three goals as he and Lynch again showed why they're such a potent partnership.
BRISBANE LIONS 3. 6 6. 7 10. 12 14. 16 (100)
GOLD COAST 3. 4 6. 8 13. 11 17. 12 (114)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: McGuane 3, Taylor 3, McStay 2, Adcock, Christensen, Hanley, Robinson, Rockliff, Zorko
Gold Coast: Lynch 5, Dixon 3, Bennell, Day, Hall, Harbrow, Malceski, Martin, Matera, Miller, Shaw
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Hanley, Zorko, Rockliff, Taylor, Christensen, Rich
Gold Coast: Hall, Lynch, Bennell, Harbrow, Dixon, May
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions:
Gold Coast:
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Zac O'Brien replaced Billy Evans in the fourth quarter
Gold Coast: Andrew Boston replaced Sean Lemmens in the fourth quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, H. Ryan, Hay, Armstrong
Official crowd: 20,025 at The Gabba
