The greatest AFL rivalries are generally built over time between two sides with a shared history.

But after just six encounters, the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns have already developed a healthy competition for Queensland’s bragging rights.

QClash 7 promises to be one of the biggest so far, with the newly formed SUNS heading into the match as warm favourites with betting agencies.

With four pre-seasons behind them, Gold Coast are now being considered as genuine Finals contenders in 2014, particularly following a stirring win over top-four fancies Richmond in Round One at Metricon Stadium.

Many pundits also suggest that the SUNS have officially ‘overtaken’ the Lions in terms of their standing in the AFL competition.

However, history tells us the Lions have had the upper hand in the early stages of the rivalry, having won five of the six previous QClashes.  

And there’s no doubt the ‘big brothers’ from Brisbane will be eager to maintain the mantle as Queensland’s best for a little while longer.

Lions.com.au takes look back at the previous matches played between the Lions and Suns, as we prepare for QClash 7 this Saturday evening on the Gold Coast.

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 the Suns 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.

Brownlow Votes: 3 – J. Brennan (GC), 2 – M. Rischitelli (GC), 1 – B. Matera (GC)




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.

Brownlow Votes: 3 – S. Black (BL), 2 – M. Leuenberger (BL), 1 – N. Bock (GC)




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 and the senior AFL debut of 18 year-old rookie Jack Crisp, 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.

Brownlow Votes: 3 – T. Rockliff (BL), 2 – S. Black (BL), 1 – P. Hanley (BL)




QCLASH 4

Brisbane Lions 8.11 (59) def Gold Coast 5.18 (48)

It might not have been pretty, but the Lions made it three-in-a-row against the Suns in the first ever QClash played at Metricon Stadium.

In slippery conditions, the Lions kicked the opening three goals of the game and looked in control at quarter time, before the Suns started to gain the ascendency.

Inaccuracy – both in front of goals and in general play – plagued both sides, with the Suns managing five goals 18 for the match.

Eight of the Suns’ behinds came in a frenetic final term – some of which were ‘gettable’ shots which could have ultimately cost them the match.

In the end, the Lions prevailed by 11 points thanks to a late sealer from Tom Rockliff.

It was the Lions’ lowest ever winning score, and the second time a QClash had been decided by two goals or less.

Brownlow Votes: 3 – G. Ablett (GC), 2 – B. Hudson (BL), 1 – S. Black (BL)




QCLASH 5

Brisbane Lions 8.11 (59) def Gold Coast 5.18 (48)

The Lions prevailed by just two points – the closest QClash to date – in a see-sawing encounter at Metricon Stadium.

A standout five-goal performance from co-skipper Jonathan Brown wasn’t enough to put away the persistent SUNS, who fought back valiantly in the second half to almost ‘steal’ the win.

Even though the Lions seemed to be in control for most of the match, Gold Coast kept the result within their grasp right up until the final siren.

In the end, it was Brown’s brilliance, and some late magic from Pearce Hanley, which helped seal an edge-of-your seat contest.

Brownlow Votes: 3 – D. Rich (BL), 2 – J. Brown (BL), 1 – P. Hanley (BL)




QCLASH 6

Brisbane Lions 17.14 (116) def Gold Coast 12.11 (83)

The Lions claimed a relatively comfortable 33-point victory in Round 15 at the Gabba, but it wasn’t without a few nervous moments.

However, there were more than a few nervous moments, particularly late in the third quarter when the SUNS edged to within one straight kick.

A trademark left-foot missile from Daniel Rich helped give the Lions some breathing space before the final break, and sparked the team onto kicking five of the first six goals of the fourth quarter to break the game open.

Matthew Leuenberger had 20 disposals, 29 hitouts, seven tackles, seven clearances, and seven inside 50s, to be the dominant big man on the ground.

Brownlow Votes: 3 – M. Leuenberger (BL), 2 – P. Hanley (BL), 1 – J. Brennan (GC)




MARCUS ASHCROFT MEDAL

The Marcus Ashcroft Medal - named after the former 318-game Brisbane Lions triple Premiership player and Hall of Famer Marcus Ashcroft - 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.

Gary Ablett became the first recipient of the Marcus Ashcroft Medal from a losing side in QClash 4, after proving a clear standout.

Ablett collected a game-high 37 disposals and eight tackles for a mammoth total of 143 Champion Data ranking points – 30 more than the next best player.

While the Suns’ Captain was a clear choice for the honour, Jack Redden, Tom Rockliff and Daniel Merrett were probably the Lions’ leading candidates.

Jonathan Brown added the Medal to his trophy cabinet after his match-winning five-goal haul in QClash 5. Brown was the clear choice for the honour in his team’s nail-biting win.

Daniel Rich and Pearce Hanley were also prolific for the Lions, while Brennan might have snared his second Medal had the SUNS managed to secure the four points.

Brennan was again the SUNS’ best in QClash 6, however Matthew Leuenberger was the obvious choice for the Medal – just ahead of teammates Pearce Hanley and Sam Mayes.

Marcus Ashcroft Medallists
QClash 1 - Jared Brennan (Suns)
QClash 2 - Simon Black (Lions)
QClash 3 – Tom Rockliff (Lions)
QClash 4 – Gary Ablett (Suns)
QClash 5 – Jonathan Brown (Lions)
QClash 6 – Matthew Leuenberger (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 – with Jonathan Brown (five goals in QClash 5) and Nathan Krakouer (five goals in QClash 1) other notable sharpshooters.

Brown has the honour of having kicked the most goals in QClash history (12), with teammates Daniel Rich and Ash McGrath also among the leading scorers.

Gold Coast’s Harley Bennell has also proven dangerous in front of goal, with a club-high 10 goals from his five matches against the Lions, while SUNS superstar Gary Ablett has been limited to just two majors in five QClashes.  

Most QClash Goals
12 - Jonathan Brown (Lions)
10 - Harley Bennell (Suns)
7 - Daniel Rich (Lions)
6 - Ash McGrath (Lions)
5 - Jared Brennan (Suns)
5 - Aaron Cornelius (Lions)
5 - Nathan Krakouer (Suns)  
5 - Brent Staker (Lions)