Gold Coast Suns Dominate Brisbane Lions in Record QClash Victory

Ben Long celebrates a goal during the match between Gold Coast and Brisbane at People First Stadium in round 20, 2025. Picture: Getty Images

LITTLE brother became the bully on Saturday, as Gold Coast bossed Brisbane at the contest and rained goals down in the wet at People First Stadium to win the QClash by a record 66 points. It was just their second win in the past 14 matches against the 'Big Brother' Lions and moves the Suns, temporarily at least, to seventh on the ladder with a match in hand.

Their 12th win of 2025, the most in a season in club history, was also a record margin against the Lions, eclipsing the previous mark of 64 points. On a day that started as light drizzle and progressed to pouring rain early in the second half, Gold Coast was too physical, too clean and too skilled in winning 20.10 (130) to 9.10 (64).

Led by captain Noah Anderson, the midfield was unstoppable, taking down the vaunted Lions on-ballers in emphatic fashion. Matt Rowell shook the hold Josh Dunkley has had over him in recent seasons, winning his first Marcus Ashcroft Medal with 37 disposals that included 14 clearances and 12 tackles. Jarrod Witts outpointed Oscar McInerney and Darcy Fort in a dominant ruck performance and Alex Davies made a huge contribution in his first match of the season.

Gold Coast kicked seven consecutive goals either side of half-time to turn the victory into a percentage-booster. Ben Long kicked an equal career-high four goals, Farrar and Bailey Humphrey added three apiece as the forward line looked nimble and difficult to match-up on. The Lions struggled to find winners on a tough day and now face Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday in a match that will have a big say on their top four hopes.

From the outset they were desperate, aggressive and spread well between contests. They kicked brilliantly from tight angles. Brayden Fiorini curled in a lovely snap, Connor Budarick roved superbly to a Witts contest and Farrar finished on the run after a bone-crunching Davies tackle jarred the ball free from Zac Bailey.

Gold Coast extended its 16-point quarter-time lead to 33 at the half, with Anderson running riot. The skipper put a big gap in the game late in the half with two blistering goals passages of play in the space of 60 seconds, the second mirroring his match-sealer against Collingwood two weeks earlier after finishing off a one-two with Sam Flanders following a centre clearance.

Not only does the win move Gold Coast one step closer to qualifying for its first finals campaign, it suddenly puts a big question mark over just how high the Lions can finish. They will end this round in second place, or third if Adelaide wins Saturday night's Showdown, but with a tough run of matches to go, things are now tight. Next week it's Collingwood at the MCG, followed by Sydney at the Gabba, Fremantle at Optus Stadium and Hawthorn at the Gabba.

Ben Long was in the All-Australian conversation midway through the season, but has gone slightly off the boil in recent weeks, kicking six goals from his past seven matches. Against the Lions though, he burst back to life, kicking an equal career-high four goals and proving a difficult match-up for Brandon Starcevich. Long was terrific at leading towards the oncoming kicker, and when given his chances around goal, was a dead-eye.

GOLD COAST 5.1 10.3 15.6 20.10 (130)
BRISBANE 2.3 4.6 5.8 9.10 (64)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Long 4, Farrar 3, Humphrey 3, Ainsworth 3, King 2, Read, Holman, Fiorini, Budarick, Anderson
Brisbane: Rayner 3, Neale, McCluggage, Marshall, Hipwood, Bailey, Ah Chee

BEST
Gold Coast: Anderson, Rowell, Witts, Davies, Humphrey, Long
Brisbane: Bailey, Rayner, Lester, Neale

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Brisbane: McKenna (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Leo Lombard (replaced Sam Collins in the fourth quarter)
Brisbane: Sam Marshall (replaced Conor McKenna at half-time)

Crowd: 20,833 at People First Stadium