Brisbane has celebrated coach Chris Fagan’s record-breaking match in style, inching closer to a top four spot with a 42-point QClash win over Gold Coast on Saturday.

The 14.11 (95) to 6.17 (53) victory means a win over Collingwood at the MCG next Friday night will lock up a double chance for the back-to-back premiers in September.

After leading by 12 points at half-time the Lions kicked away with five third-quarter goals to establish a match-winning lead before cruising home in the last term.

Following seven goals when the teams met earlier in the season, Logan Morris was again a handful for the Suns, kicking four in a game when both outfits struggled with efficiency going inside 50.

For the second time in his young career, Will Ashcroft won the medal named after his father, Marcus, as the best player afield, finishing with 31 disposals that included a goal and four clearances.

Dayne Zorko was magnificent from half-back, kicking a critical running goal from outside 50m from his 25 disposals, while Zac Bailey (27) was also busy with some more midfield time.

On a night when Fagan coached the Lions for a 238th game to surpass his great friend and mentor Leigh Matthews as the club’s record holder, his team played just the way he’d like – full of energy and desperation.

Although not at their precise best, the Lions pressured like crazy, finishing with 69 tackles including 21 inside forward 50, which were well above their season averages.

Matt Rowell kept Gold Coast afloat with 17 first-half disposals to give his team the edge from clearance, but opponent Josh Dunkley responded in style after the main break to limit his influence.

The Suns will rue missing a host of opportunities.

Not only were they wayward in front of goal, coughing up a stack of gettable chances, but they also gifted the Lions multiple majors in the game-shaping third quarter with poor mistakes.

For the second time in three games Sam Collins failed to see out the four quarters, leaving the field with sore ribs.

Brisbane’s win was the ninth time in succession it has got the better of the Suns at the Gabba.

Another top four finish beckons
Brisbane is now just one win away from securing a top four spot - and double chance - for September. After being 6-6 at the season’s midpoint, the Lions now need to win against Collingwood at the MCG next Friday night to give themselves that opportunity after a ninth win from their past 10 games. Much like they did against Hawthorn last week, it was the pressure around the contest that was most noticeable against Gold Coast. It was gritty more than pretty, but with Will Ashcroft, Dayne Zorko and Zac Bailey finding just enough space to get their ball movement going, the Lions were too good again.

Trac’s quiet night
Stationed at half-forward for most of the game, Christian Petracca was noticeably quiet. The 2021 Norm Smith Medal-winner finished with just 12 disposals following 15 against the Giants last week. Coach Damien Hardwick has moved his big name signing from the midfield to the forward half in recent weeks, with Petracca struggling to make an impression, and despite 52 inside 50 entries, the performance continued that worrying trend.
 
Sam Collins has hurt ribs – again
Two weeks ago Gold Coast vice-captain Sam Collins copped a heavy hit against Melbourne that resulted him leaving the game early and going immediately to hospital to get his injured ribs scanned. He was cleared of any serious damage at the time and was a late withdrawal from last week’s win over Greater Western Sydney before being selected to face the Lions. However, after doing a fine job on Logan Morris through one-and-a-half quarters, the same problem would rear its head again. Collins went to the rooms and returned after half-time but was forced from the field once and for all at the final change.

BRISBANE                2.3       5.7       10.10    14.11 (95)
GOLD COAST            2.3       3.7       5.11      6.17 (53)

GOALS
Brisbane: Morris 4, Allen 2, Cameron 2, Zorko, Rayner, Hipwood, Fort, W.Ashcroft, L.Ashcroft
Gold Coast: Walter 2, King 2, Long, Humphrey

BEST
Brisbane: W.Ashcroft, Zorko, Bailey, L.Ashcroft, Cameron, Wilmot
Gold Coast: Rowell, Lombard, Miller, B.Uwland, Moyle, Humphrey

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Gold Coast: Collins (ribs)

Crowd: 30,413 at the Gabba