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]

QClash
First meeting7 May 2011
Statistics
Meetings total18
All-time series (regular-season only)Brisbane Lions 12 wins
Gold Coast 6 wins
Largest victoryBrisbane Lions – 91 points (10 August 2019)

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 sportmanship

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 sportmanship 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
Year Date Rd Home Team Score Away Team Score Ground Crowd Winner H2H Report
1 2011 7 May 7 Gold Coast 18.16 (124) Brisbane 17.14 (116) The Gabba[note 1] 25,501 Gold Coast by 8 +1
2 13 August 21 Brisbane 18.15 (123) Gold Coast 8.13 (61) The Gabba 23,565  Brisbane by 62  0
3 2012 21 April 4 Brisbane 17.9 (111) Gold Coast 6.10 (46) The Gabba 21,980  Brisbane by 65   +1 
4 21 July 17 Gold Coast 5.18 (48) Brisbane 8.11 (59) Carrara Stadium 16,550  Brisbane by 11   +2 
5 2013 13 April 3 Gold Coast 13.14 (92) Brisbane 13.16 (94) Carrara Stadium 12,961  Brisbane by 2   +3 
6 6 July 15 Brisbane 17.14 (116) Gold Coast 12.11 (83) The Gabba 27,170  Brisbane by 33   +4 
7 2014 5 April 3 Gold Coast 17.12 (114) Brisbane 9.7 (61) Carrara Stadium 16,593 Gold Coast by 53  +3 
8 26 July 18 Brisbane 16.14 (110) Gold Coast 8.8 (56) The Gabba 27,167  Brisbane by 54   +4 
9 2015 2 May 5 Gold Coast 18.10 (118) Brisbane 7.12 (54) Carrara Stadium 12,464 Gold Coast by 64  +3 
10 8 August 19 Brisbane 14.16 (100) Gold Coast 17.12 (114) The Gabba 20,025 Gold Coast by 14  +2 
11 2016 16 April 4 Brisbane 14.23 (107) Gold Coast 14.10 (94) The Gabba 20,041  Brisbane by 13   +3 
12 9 July 16 Gold Coast 22.7 (139) Brisbane 17.11 (113) Carrara Stadium 13,528 Gold Coast by 26  +2 
13 2017 25 March 1 Gold Coast 14.12 (96) Brisbane 15.8 (98) Carrara Stadium 12,710  Brisbane by 2   +3 
14 12 August 21 Brisbane 22.10 (142) Gold Coast 12.12 (84) The Gabba 17,772  Brisbane by 58   +4 
15 2018 22 April 5 Brisbane 10.11 (71) Gold Coast 11.10 (76) The Gabba 16,087 Gold Coast by 5  +3 
16 18 August 22 Gold Coast 11.8 (74) Brisbane 10.18 (78) Carrara Stadium 11,907  Brisbane by 4   +4 
17 2019 27 April 6 Gold Coast 9.8 (62) Brisbane 16.15 (111) Carrara Stadium 13,694  Brisbane by 49   +5 
18 10 August 21 Brisbane 22.12 (144) Gold Coast 8.5 (53) The Gabba 22,530  Brisbane by 91   +6 
  1. Played at the Gabba in Brisbane due to Gold Coast's home ground (Carrara Stadium) not being completed (Saturday, 28 May 2011).

Timeline of results
GC
 BL 
GC
 BL 
GC
 BL 
GC
 BL 
GC
 BL 
│
2011
│
2012
│
2013
│
2014
│
2015
│
2016
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2017
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2018
│
2019
│
2020

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.

QClash 1-10

QClash 11-20
Year Round Player Team
2016 4 Pearce Hanley (2)  Brisbane 
16 Touk Miller Gold Coast
2017 1 Dayne Beams  Brisbane 
21 Dayne Beams (2)  Brisbane 
2018 5 Touk Miller (2) Gold Coast
22 Dayne Beams (3)  Brisbane 
2019 6 Mitch Robinson  Brisbane 
21 Charlie Cameron  Brisbane 

Shared history
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 164 (2012–) 0 (2011)[lower-roman 1] 15
5 Andrew Raines 67 (2010–14) 6 (2015) 6
6 Pearce Hanley 129 (2008–16) 29 (2017–) 14
7 Jarryd Lyons 20 (2019–) 37 (2017–18) 6
8 Callum Ah Chee 0 (2020–) 45 (2016–19) 5
  1. Gold Coast junior Dayne Zorko was originally drafted by the Suns as a zone selection and was on traded to the Lions shortly after.[33] When asked how he felt about the situation, Zorko admitted he was "extremely disappointed" and that the outcome "cut deeply" when his hometown club chose to pass on him.[34][35]

Statistics

Up to date at the completion of QClash 18

Denotes current player

Games Played
#PlayerClubQClashes
1 Jarrod HarbrowGold Coast17
2 Dayne ZorkoBrisbane15
3 Pearce HanleyBrisbane
Gold Coast		14
Daniel RichBrisbane14
5 David SwallowGold Coast13

Goalkickers

Most goals in one game
Tom Lynch kicked the most career QClash goals (27).
#PlayerClubVenueYearRoundGoalsBehindsPoints
1 Charlie DixonGold CoastCarrara Stadium2015Round 56238
Charlie CameronBrisbaneThe Gabba2019Round 216137
Ashley McGrathBrisbaneThe Gabba2011Round 76036
4 Tom LynchGold CoastThe Gabba2015Round 195232
Tom LynchGold CoastThe Gabba2016Round 45232
Jonathan BrownBrisbaneCarrara Stadium2013Round 35131
Nathan KrakouerGold CoastThe Gabba2011Round 75131
Peter WrightGold CoastCarrara Stadium2016Round 165131
Tom LynchGold CoastCarrara Stadium2016Round 165030

Most career goals
#PlayerClubGamesGoalsBehinds
1 Tom LynchGold Coast122712
2 Alex SextonGold Coast10178
3 Dayne ZorkoBrisbane15169
4 Lewis TaylorBrisbane11138
Eric HipwoodBrisbane7138
Harley BennellGold Coast8134

Hitouts

Most hitouts in a game
Stefan Martin holds the record for the most hitouts in QClash history (346).
#PlayerClubYearRoundHitouts
1 Jarrod WittsGold Coast2019Round 2153
2 Matthew LeuenbergerBrisbane2011Round 752
3 Jarrod WittsGold Coast2019Round 643
4 Matthew LeuenbergerBrisbane2011Round 2142
Stefan MartinBrisbane2015Round 542

Most career hitouts
#PlayerClubHitoutsGames
1 Stefan MartinBrisbane34612
2 Jarrod WittsGold Coast1915
3 Tom NichollsGold Coast1866
4 Matthew LeuenbergerBrisbane1845
5 Zac SmithGold Coast1216

Disposals

Most disposals in a game
#PlayerClubVenueYearRoundDisposals
1 Tom RockliffBrisbaneThe Gabba2014Round 1847
2 Pearce HanleyBrisbaneThe Gabba2014Round 1845
3 Gary Ablett JrGold CoastCarrara Stadium2014Round 338
Dayne BeamsBrisbaneCarrara Stadium2018Round 2238
5 Tom RockliffBrisbaneCarrara Stadium2017Round 137
Gary Ablett JrGold CoastCarrara Stadium2012Round 1737

Most career disposals
#PlayerClubGamesDisposals
1 Tom RockliffBrisbane13371
2 Pearce HanleyBrisbane
Gold Coast		14351
3 Jarrod HarbrowGold Coast17316
4 Dayne ZorkoBrisbane15304
5 David SwallowGold Coast13291

Clearances

Most clearances in a game
#PlayerClubVenueYearRoundClearances
1 Jared BrennanGold CoastThe Gabba2011Round 714
2 Tom RockliffBrisbaneThe Gabba2014Round 1811
3 Gary Ablett JrGold CoastCarrara Stadium2016Round 1610
Jared BrennanGold CoastCarrara Stadium2013Round 310
Jesse LonerganGold CoastThe Gabba2015Round 1910
Dion PrestiaGold CoastCarrara Stadium2015Round 510
Dayne ZorkoBrisbaneThe Gabba2014Round 1810

Most career clearances
#PlayerClubGamesClearances
1 Tom RockliffBrisbane1364
2 David SwallowGold Coast1362
3 Gary Ablett JrGold Coast960
4 Stefan MartinBrisbane1254
5 Daniel RichBrisbane1452

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%).
#PlayerClubVotes
1 Pearce HanleyBrisbane Lions
Gold Coast		10
2 Dayne BeamsBrisbane9
3 Tom RockliffBrisbane9
4 Gary Ablett JrGold Coast6
5 Simon BlackBrisbane6

All-time coaching record
CoachClubWinLossDrawGamesWin %Diff
Michael VossBrisbane510683.3 +4
Chris FaganBrisbane510683.3 +4
Rodney EadeGold Coast320560 +1
Dean SolomonGold Coast01010 −1
Justin LeppitschBrisbane240633.3 −2
Stuart DewGold Coast130425.0 −2
Guy McKennaGold Coast260825 −4

    AFL Women's

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

    AFLW Results
    Year Date Rd Home Team Score Away Team Score Ground Crowd Winner H2H QClash Medal Report
    1 2020 22 February 3 Gold Coast 4.4 (28) Brisbane 4.4 (28) Metricon Stadium 4,223 Draw 0  Kate Lutkins 


    AFLW statistics

    Most AFLW career goals
    #PlayerClubGoalsBehinds
    1 Kalinda HowarthGold Coast30
    2 Rheanne LuggBrisbane20
    3 Jesse WardlawBrisbane11
    4 Sophie ConwayBrisbane10
    4 Brittany PerryGold Coast10
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    gollark: Syncthing is, borgbackup could run over P2P transports fine.
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    See also

    References
    1. QClash sets TV record - afl.com.au. Published 9 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
    2. Stafford, Andrew (7 May 2011). "Jumping the Q". The Age. p. 11.
    3. Dampney, James (26 June 2012). "Rivals search for a name".
    4. Lions and Suns launch QClash
    5. QClash 1: Marcus Ashcroft Medal announced (1 May 2011)
    6. Greg Davis; Andrew Hamilton (21 April 2012). "Lions star Jonathan Brown issues rallying cry ahead of QClash". The Courier-Mail.
    7. Suns score first win over Port Adelaide
    8. Simon Black sledges former Brisbane Lions teammate Michael Rischitelli and Jared Brennan
    9. Hot Suns fry Lions
    10. Gold Coast Suns Steven May banned for three games
    11. QClash 11 - Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns
    12. AFL Tribunal April 19th - The May Verdict
    13. 2018 AFL Mark and Goal of the Year Finalists
    14. Cameron snaps a great goal
    15. Dayne Zorko slammed for lack of sportsmanship against Suns
    16. Lions star under fire over unsportsmanlike act
    17. Fuse lit for next QClash after handshake snubbing
    18. Brisbane’s Nick Robertson calls the Gold Coast Suns ‘soft’ ahead of the QClash
    19. QClash: Brisbane coach Chris Fagan filthy over Nick Robertson’s ‘soft’ sledge at Gold Coast
    20. SUNS TV: Bowes Presser
    21. AFL Twitter: Emotions boiled over between the Suns and the Lions after this incident.
    22. Skipper 'carried on like an absolute goose'
    23. Brisbane Lions Player of the Round: Round 22
    24. It was fight night in the Q-Clash
    25. Little men are growing a big QClash rivalry
    26. Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko criticised for heated post-match verbal exchange with Touk Miller
    27. Lions captain blasted for 'putrid' act of poor sportsmanship
    28. 'Terrible leadership': AFL great slams Zorko for disrespectful act
    29. ‘He just needs to pull his head in’: Carlton legend Robert Walls clips Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko
    30. Two Lions fined following QClash
    31. Match Review: Two SUNS charged
    32. Touk Miller Addresses The Dayne Zorko Incidents
    33. "My Football Story: Dayne Zorko". 25 July 2018.
    34. "Dayne Zorko a star for Brisbane Lions after being passed over by Gold Coast Suns". 24 March 2017.
    35. "Dayne holds no grudges against Suns over diss". 13 April 2013.
    36. AFLW Round 3 2020 - Gold Coast vs Brisbane match report
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