Winning ugly was exactly what the Lions did on Saturday night.
Winning ugly is a trait all good teams have.
And that’s exactly what the Brisbane Lions did on Saturday night against the Gold Coast Suns.
The Lions could have easily lost the match when they trailed by a couple of goals in the last quarter, but they didn’t.
The four-point victory was extremely important for the Lions’ development after suffering through five losses by seven points or less this season.
Three out of the past four QClash encounters have now been decided by five points or less.
Despite a healthy advantage in inside 50s (+11) and scores per entry (46.6% vs 38.8%), inaccurate kicking to the tune of 18 behinds and three complete misses hurt the Lions.
The main problem was with set shots from outside 40 metres, with the Lions recording two goals, nine behinds and one miss from this area.
An overall goalkicking accuracy of 32% was the Lions’ third lowest of the season and lowest since Round 6.
Contested ball finished even, which is the eighth time this season the Lions have broken even or won the contested ball. Last year this happened just five times.
The Lions’ pressure was exceptional at times.
In the first and fourth quarters, the Lions' pressure factor was 2.03 (highest of the round) and they made 39 tackles. However, in the second and third quarters the pressure factor dropped to 1.49 (lowest of the round) and only 15 tackles were made.
The victory was the Lions’ 10th overall in QClash history.
Dayne Beams was adjudged as best on ground to take home the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for the third time. He is now the only player to have won the award three times.
Beams collected a game-high 38 disposals and had nine clearances, four score assists, 12 score involvements and kicked one goal.
In his 100th match for the Lions, ruckman Stef Martin was very strong and tallied 38 hit outs (14 to advantage) and 21 disposals.
Harris Andrews was stingy down back before a rare spell in the forward line where he kicked a vital goal and looked dangerous.
Allen Christensen provided lots of run out of halfback and finished with 22 disposals at 91% efficiency.
As he nears the end of his 17th season in the AFL, Luke Hodge was at his typical efficient best, racking up 21 disposals at 86% efficiency and taking a game-high two contested marks.
Dayne Zorko produced a game-high nine tackles and worked hard for 17 disposals and five inside 50s despite the best effort of Suns tagger Touk Miller.
2026 Hall of Fame: Brisbane Lions elevate Robert Walls to Hall of Fame Legend
The late Robert Walls became just the seventh Lion to be awarded Legend status in the club’s Hall of Fame, joining an illustrious group that includes Haydn Bunton, Kevin Murray and Garry Wilson, Michael Voss, Simon Black and Jonathan Brown.
Hall of Fame Legend - Robert Walls
Roberts Walls sat in the Chanel Seven commentary box at the MCG to watch the Brisbane Lions beat Essendon in the 2001 AFL Grand Final to claim their first premiership.
Hall of Fame Inductee - Brad Scott
It’s an extraordinary family which boasts more than 1000 games of AFL football as player and coach across five clubs, six AFL premierships, three years in charge of football operations across the country, and two Hall of Famers.
Hall of Fame Inductee - Tim Notting
It’s a special thing for any AFL footballer to kick six goals at the MCG, regardless of age or experience. But to do so at 20, in just your 13th AFL game in an unfamiliar role at centre half forward, is extra special plus.
