FORM GUIDE
The Gold Coast SUNS have arguably been in better form than their ‘big brothers’ the Brisbane Lions of late, even though both have an identical 1-4 win/loss record from their past five games.

However, the SUNS have a superior record over the course of the season so far and currently sit 13th on the AFL ladder with five wins – one position higher than the Lions who are 14th with four wins.

Although there’s still plenty of football remaining in 2013, the outcome of QClash 6 could very well determine which team finishes higher at season’s end.

SELECTION TABLE
The Lions have made five changes to the team following last Sunday’s loss to Hawthorn, with Simon Black (groin) and Sam Docherty (back) forced out of the side through injury, and Jordan Lisle, James Polkinghorne and Elliot Yeo all omitted.

Daniel Merrett will be a welcome return after passing a fitness test earlier in the week, while Andrew Raines, Rohan Bewick, Josh Green and Sam Mayes have been re-called from the NEAFL.

The SUNS regain Luke Russell and Harley Bennell from injury, but will be without Karmichael Hunt who has a strained calf. Maverick Weller also been omitted.

Surprisingly, Gold Coast have resisted the temptation to recall former Lion and QClash specialist Jared Brennan for Saturday’s match. Brennan has a good history against his former side, but won’t get the opportunity to take on his old teammates at the Gabba.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Andrew Raines’ senior call-up would suggest that he is being earmarked for another run-with role on SUNS skipper Gary Ablett.

Raines and Ablett have regularly locked horns during previous QClashes, and the Lions tagger has generally performed as well as you can expect against the competition’s best player.

You simply can’t stop Ablett - the best you can hope for is to limit his influence on the contest, and on the scoreboard.

The reigning Marcus Ashcroft Medallist Jonathan Brown can also expect plenty of attention on Saturday night, following his match-winning five-goal performance in QClash 5.

SUNS defender Rory Thompson has emerged as one of the AFL’s most exciting young backmen, and is the obvious match-up for Brown. Top draft pick Sam Day is another option after transforming himself from a forward into a key defender.

With Lisle omitted, Brown is the only true key forward named in the Lions’ line-up, so will be relied upon heavily to help kick a winning score.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Justin Clarke has been a revelation for the Lions in 2013.

The 19 year-old rookie has held down a key defensive post since making his debut in Round 5, and has never looked out of place.

The role he’s performed has been even more valuable considering Daniel Merrett and Matt Maguire have both missed considerable chunks of the season.

For the first time in a while, Clarke can expect to play on an opponent with similar experience, rather than a more senior AFL power forward. Another strong showing would surely have him in the sights of the AFL Rising Star selection panel.

Speaking of first year players and the AFL Rising Star award, SUNS midfielder Jaeger O’Meara is a shoo-in to take home the honour at season’s end.

O’Meara has enjoyed a sensational debut season, and even has some members of the football community believing he could become the greatest midfielder of all time.

It’s a huge wrap for the 18-year-old, but is probably justified given how quickly he has established himself in the elite competition.

One would suspect that O’Meara will continue to be a key player in many of the QClashes to come.

MISSING IN ACTION
Even though the Lions boast a healthy list, it seems they are constantly without at least one of their key players each week.

In the lead-up to the Hawthorn game, the Lions lost Daniel Merrett with an injury suffered at training, and will now be without key playmaker Simon Black for QClash 6.

Black proves a huge loss, particularly considering his remarkable record against Gold Coast (he has polled Brownlow votes in three of his four QClash appearances).

The SUNS have their own injury woes, with Charlie Dixon (ankle), Brandon Matera (ankle), Michael Rischitelli (elbow), Tom Lynch (knee), Karmichael Hunt (calf) and Zac Smith (knee) all missing from their best 22.

RECENT HISTORY
The Lions have responded to their surprise QClash 1 loss to the SUNS by winning the past four matches between the two teams.

The past two encounters, however, have been incredibly tight contests which have gone right down to the wire.

The QClash will also return to the Gabba for the first time in almost 15 months, with the past two matches being hosted at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.