AFL: Joe Daniher broke the hearts of his former side, with his six goals leading Brisbane to a 42-point victory over Essendon – and remarkable sixth straight win.
The Q-Clash pits the AFL’s two Queensland teams against each other and as the Brisbane Lions host the Gold Coast Suns this Saturday May 20 for round 10 of the AFL season, the set up is super tasty with both teams in form.
BRISBANE LIONS (7-2) v GOLD COAST SUNS (4-5) BETTING PREVIEW
BRISBANE LIONS: $1.26 (via bet365)
GOLD COAST SUNS: $4.20 (via Ladbrokes)
Gabba, Saturday, 7:30pm
Full CODE Bet Match Centre here
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING AT
- Brisbane have won the last eight Q-Clashes over Gold Coast.
- Brisbane have covered the line in their last six matches.
- Brisbane have won 14 of its last 16 at the Gabba.
THE MATCH-UP
The Q-Clash will light up the Gabba on Saturday night with the in-form Brisbane Lions taking on a Gold Coast Suns team that’s also in a purple patch in what shapes up to be one of the best Q-Clashes in history.
Brisbane have now won six on the bounce after handling Essendon 87-45 off the back of a six goal performance by Joe Daniher against his old team.
Over in the west, Gold Coast had their biggest win ever crushing West Coast by 70 points. Matt Rowell had 29 touches and 17 tackles. Ben King worked his way back into some form with four goals.
These two met twice last year with a combined 415 points scored in the matches, with Brisbane winning both 110-93 and 132-80.
The Suns will be out to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Lions in this one.
Harris Andrews and Lachie Neale of the Lions celebrate winning. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
THE MOST COMPLETE TEAM IN THE AFL
Brisbane are absolutely flying at the moment: six consecutive wins and six line clears which has them as absolute punter favourites at the moment.
The Lions are the third best attacking team in the AFL with 896 points in the nine games played so far this season at an average near enough to 100.
The Lions have scored 110 or more points in six of the last seven against Gold Coast, the one game they didn’t clear 110 was during the Covid shortened 2020 games and the total that night was 88.
The spread of goal kickers for the Lions this season has been impressive, with six players having 10 or more at this stage of the season. Charlie Cameron has 26, Joe Daniher 24.
Zac Bailey is having an underrated year, 13 goals in nine games and averaging 15.4 possessions. Doing exactly what Chris Fagan would want a small forward to do, he has 12 goals in eight games against the Suns.
Matt Rowell of the Suns celebrates a goal Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
STREAKS ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN
The Suns are playing some of the best football they have ever produced and if not for a few umpiring decisions that went against them two weeks ago when playing the Demons, the Suns could be heading into this on a four game win streak.
Eight games in a row the Suns have failed to match it with Brisbane and a defensive struggle will not work, given the ‘grunt’ power Brisbane have in their midfield.
The Suns have had 21 individual goal scorers this season for the 105 goals they have kicked, a few of them will need to chip in and help out Ben King (22 goals) as getting into a shootout against the Lions will take multiples from many players.
Jack Lukosius is as talented as anyone in the AFL, he’s just inconsistent and can go missing at important times. If he is at his best here, the Suns are well within a chance of winning the game, but to do so he will need at least 15 possessions and two goals.
Last week‘s rising star nominee Bailey Humphrey is getting better week-in, week-out: 20 possessions and a goal last week against the Eagles highlighted his talent. He needs to back it up.
Charlie Cameron of the Lions handballs. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
CAN’T KEEP CHUCKY QUIET FOR TOO LONG
Charlie ‘Chucky’ Cameron had his worst game since round one this season when kept goalless. He was tagged out of the game by Andy McGrath who kept him goalless and to nine disposals.
He has 26 goals in his other seven games in one of his best seasons so far.
THE PICK
Have to be with the Lions to get the job done with the home record and overall record against the Suns. Gold Coast can get closer than the line suggests however
[all odds as of May 18]
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