QClash

The QClash is the name given to the Australian rules football rivalry match between the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns, who both participate in the Australian Football League (AFL). The first QClash was held in 2011, with Gold Coast winning by 8 points. The game established the highest pay TV audience ever for an AFL game, with a total of 354,745 viewers watching the game.^[1]

Background[]

The QClash was promoted by the league, the clubs and the football media as a name for the game,^[2] in similar terms to the other local derbies that exist in the AFL, such as the Western Derby and Showdown.^[3]

"We wanted a name that embodied Queensland, one that was unique and simple. We also wanted to reflect the big scale of the matches. Speaking to the coaches and players, there is no doubt that both teams want to win whenever we come together, and the QClash will be a real battle for state pride." — Brisbane Lions CEO Malcolm Holmes.^[4]

The medal for the player adjudged best on ground is known as the Marcus Ashcroft Medal. It is named after former footballer Marcus Ashcroft, who played junior football on the Gold Coast for Southport and 318 VFL/AFL games for the Brisbane Bears/Brisbane Lions between 1989 and 2003. He later joined Gold Coast's coaching staff and was the first Queenslander to play 300 VFL/AFL games.^[5] Lion Dayne Beams has won the medal three times, the most by any player.

The trophy awarded to the winner of the game is currently known as the "QClash Trophy". The trophy is a "traditional style" looking silver cup with a wooden base and a plaque. The plaque's inscription reads from left to right, "Brisbane Lions AFC", "QCLASH", "Gold Coast Suns FC".^[6]

Venues[]

• 

  The Gabba, Brisbane's home ground.

• 

  Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast's home ground.

Notable QClashes[]

QClash 1 — Inaugural Queensland Clash[]

The first edition of the QClash took place on 7 May 2011 at the Gabba. The Suns were required to host the inaugural meeting between the two teams at the Gabba as their home ground, Carrara Stadium, was unavailable until later that year. Despite the Lions not having won a game for the season leading into the game, they were considered strong favourites to defeat their Gold Coast neighbours. The Suns had recorded their first ever AFL win two weeks prior to the clash while Brisbane was winless leading into the first ever Queensland derby.^[7] Brisbane's triple premiership player Simon Black labeled former Lions Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli "mercenaries" in the lead up to the game because they had joined the Suns in the off season.^[8] Two days before the game it was revealed that 10 Queenslanders had been chosen to compete in the clash. The Suns got off to a hot start in the first quarter and led the clash by 19 points at first exchange of ends. The Gold Coast held that lead through the first three quarters and the tension rose early in the third term when Gold Coast's David Swallow unintentionally knocked Brisbane's Andrew Raines unconscious, who was taken off with concussion. Trailing by 19 points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Lions mounted a comeback off the back of six second half goals from Ashley McGrath, who was swung forward at half time. A Todd Banfield goal at the 15-minute mark in the fourth term equaled the scores late in the game but a spectacular pack mark taken by Gold Coast forward Nathan Krakouer a minute later stemmed the tide as he kicked truly for his fifth goal to give the Suns a one-goal lead. McGrath's sixth goal just seconds later again equaled the scores once again. The Gold Coast were awarded a controversial free kick for a high tackle a minute later which allowed small forward Brandon Matera to play on and kick the Suns to a seven-point lead that they wouldn't relinquish. The Suns claim the inaugural QClash 18.16 (124) to 17.14 (116).^[9] Former Lion and new Sun Jared Brennan was awarded the inaugural Marcus Ashcroft Medal for his best on ground performance that included 30 disposals and 14 clearances.

QClash 11 — The bump[]

QClash 11 took place on 16 April 2016 at the Gabba. The Suns had compiled an undefeated 3-0 record leading into the game and were sitting equal top of the ladder while the Lions were winless sitting on the bottom of the ladder. The two teams traded goals for much of the first half as the Suns led by 2 points at the end of the first term and 8 points at half time. The biggest talking point of the night took place a minute before half time when Gold Coast defender Steven May elected to bump Brisbane ruckman Stefan Martin under his chin. Martin was knocked unconscious and was motionless for several minutes after the incident. May was a repeat offender as he had bumped Lion Tom Rockliff unconscious in QClash 9.^[10] Seemingly spurred on by what had occurred just prior to half time, the Lions gained the lead in the third quarter and eventually ran out 13-point winners at full time. The Marcus Ashcroft Medal was awarded to Irishman Pearce Hanley for his sublime 28-disposal, 2-goal performance.^[11] In the week following the match, May was referred straight to the tribunal where he later received a five-match suspension.^[12]

QClash 15 — Zorko's poor sportsmanship[]

QClash 15 took place on 22 April 2018 at the Gabba. Both Queensland clubs had suffered embarrassing losses the week prior to the 15th local derby and were keen to prove a point in the round 5 clash. The Suns went about building a healthy lead in the first half and led the contest by 14 points at the major break. Gold Coast then led the clash by as many as 27 points in the third quarter before Brisbane began fighting back. In the midst of a goalscoring frenzy from Brisbane, North Queenslander Charlie Cameron produced one of the goals of the year^[13] with a three effort run of play that involved a gather, a handball, a recovery, a tackle break, a fend off and ultimately a spinning snap goal.^[14] By the halfway point of the fourth quarter, Gold Coast's lead had been reduced to just four points. Despite Brisbane's relentless pressure in the last eight minutes of the game, the Suns were able to hold on for a five-point victory. Touk Miller was awarded the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for his shutdown role on Brisbane vice captain Dayne Zorko. However, post-game footage captured Zorko telling his opponent to "fuck off" when approached for a handshake.^[15] Zorko was subsequently slammed by the media for his lack of sportsmanship in the days that followed.^[16][17]

QClash 16 — 'Soft' comments and Zorko vs Miller[]

QClash 16 was held at Metricon Stadium on 18 August 2018. In the week leading up to the game, Brisbane defender Nick Robertson spoke on Macquarie Sports Radio where he labelled Gold Coast players "soft" and that he thought they "take a bit of a backwards step when blokes go hard in at the footy." Robertson added "I hope they hear that too" as the radio interview concluded.^[18] Hours later Brisbane coach Chris Fagan publicly expressed disappointment over Robertson's comments.^[19] When asked about his thoughts on Robertson's comments the next day, Gold Coast midfielder Jack Bowes was diplomatic and said "we respect all opposition."^[20] The fiery clash began with Brisbane kicking three unanswered goals before Gold Coast managed to score a goal just before quarter time. Following the quarter time siren, tempers flared as a mini-melee broke out between the two teams. The tension rose to another level midway through the second quarter when Sean Lemmens collected Brandon Starcevich with a high shot. Mitch Robinson and Lemmens collided in the immediate aftermath, while Dayne Zorko was floored metres away after being pushed into by Alex Sexton.^[21] The Lions took a slender one-goal lead into halftime as Gold Coast had fought back with five goals in the second quarter.

The Suns quickly captured ascendency early in the third quarter and held the lead until a contentious free kick was awarded to Harris Andrews, which resulted in a goal after the three-quarter time siren and subsequently handed the lead back to Brisbane. Upon viewing the replay, commentator Alastair Lynch stated "I actually don't think that is a holding free kick." Two quick goals allowed the Suns to build a nine-point lead early in the fourth quarter but a controversial 50 metre penalty for impeding the protected zone in the middle of the ground appeared to diminish the Gold Coast's momentum and resulted in a Brisbane goal from Allen Christensen.^[22] Four minutes later Dayne Beams kicked a crucial goal midway through the fourth quarter to give Brisbane a four-point lead. Despite the margin remaining at four points for the last two and a half minutes, the Lions would hold the lead and walk away victorious 10.18 (78) to 11.8 (74) in QClash 16. Dayne Beams was awarded the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for his magnificent 38-disposal performance.^[23] Gold Coast midfielder Touk Miller was given the task of tagging Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko for the entire game and camera footage consistently showed the two engaging in scuffles with one another throughout the match.^[24] In the moments following the final siren, Zorko went directly to Miller and yelled expletives to his face before smiling and extending his hand to shake Miller's.^[25] The pair shook hands before Zorko bizarrely continued to follow Miller around the field with his hand extended. As was the case after QClash 15, the media criticised Zorko for poor sportsmanship in the days that followed.^{[26][27][28][29]} Four fines were handed to players from either side after the match; Brisbane's Luke Hodge and Mitch Robinson^[30] as well as Gold Coast's Brayden Fiorini and Sean Lemmens received fines.^[31] A month after the clash, Touk Miller stated "we don't like each other" when asked about Zorko and the rivalry between the two clubs.^[32]

QClash results[]

Timeline of results[]

Marcus Ashcroft Medal[]

Gold Coast junior and former Brisbane Lions captain Dayne Beams holds the record for most Marcus Ashcroft Medals (3).

The Marcus Ashcroft Medal is awarded to the player adjudged best on field during the QClash. It is named after triple Brisbane Lions AFL premiership player Marcus Ashcroft, who played junior football on the Gold Coast for Surfers Paradise and Southport. Ashcroft also held administrative roles at both the Lions and the Suns post-playing career.

Winners[]

Shared history[]

Callum Ah Chee, Pearce Hanley and Jarryd Lyons are the only players to have appeared in QClashes for Brisbane and Gold Coast.

Shared players[]

Below is a record of players who spent time on both lists at the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns.

#	Player	Brisbane Games (Active)	Gold Coast Games (Active)	QClashes
1	Jared Brennan	119 (2003–10)	54 (2011–13)	6
	Michael Rischitelli	111 (2004–10)	130 (2011–19)	13
	Joel Tippett	0 (2007–09)	2 (2011)	0
4	Dayne Zorko	185 (2012–)	0 (2011)[i]	16
5	Andrew Raines	67 (2010–14)	6 (2015)	6
6	Pearce Hanley	129 (2008–16)	40 (2017–20)	14
7	Jarryd Lyons	43 (2019–)	37 (2017–18)	7
8	Callum Ah Chee	18 (2020–)	45 (2016–19)	6

Statistics[]

Up to date at the completion of QClash 21

Games Played[]

#	Player	Club	QClashes
1	Dayne Zorko	Brisbane	18
2	Jarrod Harbrow	Gold Coast	17
	Daniel Rich	Brisbane	15
4	David Swallow	Gold Coast	16
5	Ryan Lester	Brisbane	15

Goalkickers[]

Most goals in one game[]

Tom Lynch kicked the most career QClash goals (27).

#	Player	Club	Venue	Year	Round	Goals	Behinds	Points
1	Charlie Dixon	Gold Coast	Carrara Stadium	2015	Round 5	6	2	38
	Charlie Cameron	Brisbane	The Gabba	2019	Round 21	6	1	37
	Ashley McGrath	Brisbane	The Gabba	2011	Round 7	6	0	36
4	Tom Lynch	Gold Coast	The Gabba	2015	Round 19	5	2	32
	Tom Lynch	Gold Coast	The Gabba	2016	Round 4	5	2	32
	Jonathan Brown	Brisbane	Carrara Stadium	2013	Round 3	5	1	31
	Nathan Krakouer	Gold Coast	The Gabba	2011	Round 7	5	1	31
	Peter Wright	Gold Coast	Carrara Stadium	2016	Round 16	5	1	31
	Tom Lynch	Gold Coast	Carrara Stadium	2016	Round 16	5	0	30

Most career goals[]

#	Player	Club	Goals	Behinds	Games
1	Tom Lynch	Gold Coast	27	12	12
2	Dayne Zorko	Brisbane	20	12	18
3	Alex Sexton	Gold Coast	18	8	12
	Charlie Cameron	Brisbane	18	8	6
5	Eric Hipwood	Brisbane	16	11	9

Hitouts[]

Most hitouts in a game[]

Stefan Martin holds the record for the most hitouts in QClash history (346).

#	Player	Club	Year	Round	Hitouts
1	Jarrod Witts	Gold Coast	2019	Round 21	53
2	Matthew Leuenberger	Brisbane	2011	Round 7	52
3	Jarrod Witts	Gold Coast	2019	Round 6	43
4	Matthew Leuenberger	Brisbane	2011	Round 21	42
	Stefan Martin	Brisbane	2015	Round 5	42

Most career hit-outs[]

#	Player	Club	Hitouts	Games
1	Stefan Martin	Brisbane	346	12
2	Jarrod Witts	Gold Coast	223	6
3	Tom Nicholls	Gold Coast	186	6
4	Matthew Leuenberger	Brisbane	184	5
5	Oscar McInerney	Brisbane	124	5

Disposals[]

Most disposals in a game[]

#	Player	Club	Venue	Year	Round	Disposals
1	Tom Rockliff	Brisbane	The Gabba	2014	Round 18	47
2	Pearce Hanley	Brisbane	The Gabba	2014	Round 18	45
3	Brayden Fiorini	Gold Coast	The Gabba	2021	Round 19	41
4	Gary Ablett Jr	Gold Coast	Carrara Stadium	2014	Round 3	38
	Dayne Beams	Brisbane	Carrara Stadium	2018	Round 22	38

Most career disposals[]

#	Player	Club	Disposals	Games
1	Dayne Zorko	Brisbane	384	18
2	Tom Rockliff	Brisbane	371	13
3	David Swallow	Gold Coast	359	16
4	Daniel Rich	Brisbane	355	17
5	Pearce Hanley	Brisbane Gold Coast	351	14

Clearances[]

Most clearances in a game[]

#	Player	Club	Venue	Year	Round	Clearances
1	Jared Brennan	Gold Coast	The Gabba	2011	Round 7	14
2	Oscar McInerney	Brisbane	The Gabba	2021	Round 19	12
3	Tom Rockliff	Brisbane	The Gabba	2014	Round 18	11
3	Gary Ablett Jr	Gold Coast	Carrara Stadium	2016	Round 16	10
	Jared Brennan	Gold Coast	Carrara Stadium	2013	Round 3	10
	Jesse Lonergan	Gold Coast	The Gabba	2015	Round 19	10
	Dion Prestia	Gold Coast	Carrara Stadium	2015	Round 5	10
	Dayne Zorko	Brisbane	The Gabba	2014	Round 18	10

Most career clearances[]

#	Player	Club	Games	Clearances
1	David Swallow	Gold Coast	16	70
2	Tom Rockliff	Brisbane	13	64
3	Dayne Zorko	Brisbane	18	63
4	Gary Ablett Jr	Gold Coast	9	60
5	Touk Miller	Gold Coast	12	55

Career Brownlow votes[]

Queensland junior and triple Brisbane Lions AFL Premiership captain Michael Voss holds the best winning percentage of any coach in QClash history (83.3%).

#	Player	Club	Votes
1	Pearce Hanley	Brisbane Lions Gold Coast	10
2	Dayne Beams	Brisbane	9
3	Tom Rockliff	Brisbane	9
4	Gary Ablett Jr	Gold Coast	6
5	Simon Black	Brisbane	6

All-time coaching record[]

Coach	Club	Win	Loss	Draw	Games	Win %	Diff
Chris Fagan	Brisbane	8	1	0	9	88.9	+7
Michael Voss	Brisbane	5	1	0	6	83.3	+4
Rodney Eade	Gold Coast	3	2	0	5	60	+1
Dean Solomon	Gold Coast	0	1	0	1	0	−1
Justin Leppitsch	Brisbane	2	4	0	6	33.3	−2
Guy McKenna	Gold Coast	2	6	0	8	25	−4
Stuart Dew	Gold Coast	1	6	0	7	14.3	−5

AFL Women's[]

The first AFLW QClash was played on 22 February 2020 at Metricon Stadium and resulted in a draw.^[36]

AFLW Results[]

AFLW statistics[]

Most AFLW career goals[]

#	Player	Club	Goals	Games
1	Jesse Wardlaw	Brisbane	5	2
2	Dakota Davidson	Brisbane	4	2
3	Kalinda Howarth	Brisbane Gold Coast	3	2
4	Rheanne Lugg	Brisbane	2	1
5	Greta Bodey	Brisbane	2	2

Shared players[]

Below is a record of players who have spent time on the lists of both clubs.

#	Player	Brisbane games (Years listed)	Gold Coast games (Years listed)	QClashes
1	Lauren Bella	3 (2019)	16 (2020–)	2
	Tori Groves-Little	2 (2019)	4 (2020–)	0
	Kalinda Howarth	0 (2018)	16 (2020–)	2
	Leah Kaslar	21 (2017–2019)	15 (2020–2021)	2
	Paige Parker	4 (2019)	13 (2020–)	1
	Emma Pittman	8 (2018–2019)	2 (2020–)	0
	Molly Ritson	0 (2018)	9 (2020–2021)	1
	Jamie Stanton	16 (2017–2018)	13 (2020–)	2
	Sam Virgo	15 (2017–2019)	14 (2020–2021)	2
	Jacqui Yorston	4 (2019)	7 (2020–)	1
11	Taylor Smith	11 (2021–)	1 (2020)	1

All-time coaching record[]

Coach	Club	Win	Loss	Draw	Games	Win %	Diff
Craig Starcevich	Brisbane	1	0	0	1	100	+1
Daniel Merrett	Brisbane	0	0	1	1	0	0
David Lake	Gold Coast	0	1	1	2	0	−1

See also[]

• AFL Queensland (AFLQ): The governing body of Australian rules football in Queensland.
• Western Derby: The AFL Intrastate Derby of Western Australia, first played in 1995. (West Coast Eagles Vs. Fremantle Dockers).
• Showdown: The AFL Intrastate Derby of South Australia, first played in 1997. (Adelaide Crows Vs. Port Adelaide Power).
• Sydney Derby: The AFL Intrastate Derby of New South Wales, first played in 2012. (Sydney Swans Vs. Greater Western Sydney Giants).

References[]

External links[]

• QClash's playing statistics from AFL Tables