SUMMARY
If Gold Coast wants to be taken seriously, they should defeat the Lions easily, but as local rivalries have a knack of proving, there's no such thing as a certainty in Saturday's QClash. The Lions sprung an upset in round four – their only win of the season – and seem to make a habit of beating the Suns when they're not supposed to. Steven May's hit on Stefan Martin will be fresh in everyone's minds and will guarantee plenty of passion on both sides. However, once the teams settle down, Gold Coast showed against St Kilda last weekend its best footy is pretty good. Tom Lynch and Peter Wright will be a handful, and while the Lions will give some cheek, if the Suns knuckle down, this should be a comfortable victory.
Michael Rischitelli will be hoping for two reasons to celebrate on Saturday. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, July 9, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2016, Brisbane Lions 14.23 (107) d Gold Coast 14.10 (94) at the Gabba
R19, 2015, Gold Coast 17.12 (114) d Brisbane Lions 14.16 (100) at the Gabba
R5, 2015, Gold Coast 18.10 (118) d Brisbane Lions 7.12 (54) at Metricon Stadium
R18, 2014, Brisbane Lions 16.14 (110) d Gold Coast 8.8 (56) at the Gabba
R3, 2014, Gold Coast 17.12 (114) d Brisbane Lions 9.7 (61) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Lions dominated most statistical categories in round four, with 367-307 disposals, 82-62 marks, 37-24 scoring shots and 66-48 inside 50s. Pearce Hanley starred with 28 disposals, while for the Suns, Tom Lynch kicked five goals.
2. The Lions are comfortably the worst defence in 2016, conceding a total of 1761 points, 228 worse than Essendon. Gold Coast has the third worst defence.
3. This will be the 12th QClash and the Lions hold a seven wins to four advantage. Gold Coast has won three of the past five.
4. Both teams have struggled in front of goal in 2016; the Suns are 13th for accuracy at 49 per cent, while the Lions are 17th at 46.3 per cent.
5. The Lions have been terrible on the road this season, losing all seven games away from the Gabba. Five of those losses have been by more than 50 points.
6. In Dayne Zorko (15th), Stefan Martin (66th) and Daniel Rich (78th) the Brisbane Lions have three players inside the top 100 of the AFL's Official Player Ratings. Gold Coast has just one, with forward Tom Lynch ranked 44th overall.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Michael Rischitelli
The former Brisbane Lion – who won a best and fairest in his final season at the club in 2010 – reaches another milestone on Saturday when he chalks up a century of games for the Suns. The fearless midfielder becomes the second Gold Coast player to notch 100 games after Jarrod Harbrow did so earlier this season.
PREDICTION: Gold Coast by 35 points
