FOR maybe the first time in the four-year history of the QClash, there's something genuinely riding on the result. Gold Coast is perched in ninth place, but a win over its Queensland rivals can vault them back into the top eight. They humbled the Lions by 53 points earlier in the season but this time they will be without injured skipper Gary Ablett, and playing an outfit that has improved significantly since the start of the season. But if they're serious about making the finals for the first time in their short history, the Suns should still have enough class to get home.



WHERE AND WHEN: The Gabba, Saturday July 26, 4.40pm AEST
 
LAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2014, Gold Coast 17.12 (114) d Brisbane Lions 9.7 (61) at Metricon Stadium
R15, 2013, Brisbane Lions 17.14 (116) d Gold Coast 12.11 (83) at Gabba
R3, 2013, Brisbane Lions 13.16 (94) d Gold Coast 13.14 (92) at Metricon Stadium
R17, 2012, Brisbane Lions 8.11 (59) d Gold Coast 5.18 (48) at Metricon Stadium
R4, 2012, Brisbane Lions 17.9 (111) d Gold Coast 6.10 (46) at Gabba
 
 
THE SIX POINTS
1. In Gold Coast's victory over the Lions in round three, Gary Ablett starred for the Suns with 38 disposals, Dion Prestia had 32 and Sam Day booted four goals. Tom Rockliff led the Lions with 35 touches and three goals.
 
2. The Lions have kicked the fewest goals in the AFL this season – 149 in 16 games for an average of just 9.3 a game (Melbourne has kicked 150 in 17 games for an average of 8.8). Gold Coast has the sixth-best goal average this year at 13.1 a game.
 
3. Gold Coast has a poor record at the Gabba, with just one win from six games (one each against Carlton and Melbourne, and four against the Lions). Its sole victory at this venue was in the first QClash in 2011 – by eight points.
 
4. Gold Coast is the second-best contested possession side in the AFL, averaging 146.9 a game (the Sydney Swans are No.1 at 150). The Lions are last for contested possessions, averaging 125.1.
 
5. The Suns are also a strong centre clearance team, ranked equal fourth with an average of 13.2 a game, while the Lions are 16th at 11.1 a game.
 
6. Second-year Suns midfielder Jaeger O'Meara continues his surge up the Official AFL Player Ratings, and is now ranked 58th after his 22 disposals, nine tackles and two goals against the Western Bulldogs.
 
Prediction: Gold Coast by 24 points