By Alice Barker
The first QClash was played at Yeronga over the weekend between the Gold Coast SUNS and the Brisbane Lions U18’s Men’s Academies.
The SUNS came away with a comfortable 10.10 (70) to 5.12 (42) win as the side remain undefeated through their two games thus far.
Although the game was not always smooth-sailing with the lead seesawing between the two sides.
In a tense second quarter, both sides provided the other ample scoring opportunities by way of hapless free kicks, resulting in a tight two-point difference going into the main break.
The third sequence saw Brisbane coming out on top by utilising their outside reclaim the lead heading into the final break.
Brisbane’s Bruce Reville held his own by scoring a goal and a behind along with 25 disposals, keeping the Lions in the game.
However, the Gold Coast team responded in the fourth phase of the game as they stepped up to the plate by scoring five unanswered goals, pushing the game out of reach for the Brisbane boys.
Matt Conroy pulled through for the Gold Coast in the final quarter with a spectacular performance, scoring two goals and racking up 25 hitouts.
SUNS head coach Andrew Raines said both teams should be happy with their efforts, attributing his teams’ strong pre-season to their ability to take the game from the Lions.
“Brisbane were outstanding in their contest, but it was great to see our boys overrun the opposition,” Raines said after the game.
Both the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS will play five games in the new-look NAB League, with next weekend’s fixtures each team’s third in the competition.
The Lions are set to take on the Eastern Rangers, while the SUNS are hoping to consolidate their solid start to the season against the tough competition of last year’s runner-up, the Oakleigh Chargers.
