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. 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.
Background
The QClash was promoted by the league, the clubs and the football media as a name for the game, in similar terms to the other local derbies that exist in the AFL, such as the Western Derby and Showdown.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/ between 1989 and 2003. He later joined Gold Coast's coaching staff and was the first Queenslander to play 300 VFL/AFL games. 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".
Venues
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. 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. 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 to 17.14. 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. 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. In the week following the match, May was referred straight to the tribunal where he later received a five-match suspension.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 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. 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. Zorko was subsequently slammed by the media for his lack of sportmanship in the days that followed.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. Hours later Brisbane coach Chris Fagan publicly expressed disappointment over Robertson's comments. 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." 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. 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. 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 to 11.8 in QClash 16. Dayne Beams was awarded the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for his magnificent 38-disposal performance. 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. 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. 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. Four fines were handed to players from either side after the match; Brisbane's Luke Hodge and Mitch Robinson as well as Gold Coast's Brayden Fiorini and Sean Lemmens received fines. 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.
QClash results
Timeline of results
Marcus Ashcroft Medal
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
Shared history
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 | Gold Coast Games | QClashes |
| 1 |  Jared Brennan | 119 | 54 | 6 |
| 1 |  Michael Rischitelli | 111 | 130 | 13 |
| 1 |  Joel Tippett | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | Dayne Zorko | 164 | 0 | 15 |
| 5 | Andrew Raines | 67 | 6 | 6 |
| 6 |  Pearce Hanley | 129 | 29 | 14 |
| 7 | Jarryd Lyons | 20 | 37 | 6 |
| 8 |  Callum Ah Chee | 0 | 45 | 5 |
Statistics
Up to date at the completion of QClash 18Games Played
Goalkickers
Most goals in one game
| # | Player | Club | Venue | Year | Round | Goals | Behinds | Points |
| 1 | Charlie Dixon | Gold Coast | Carrara Stadium | 2015 | Round 5 | 6 | 2 | 38 |
| 1 | Charlie Cameron | Brisbane | The Gabba | 2019 | Round 21 | 6 | 1 | 37 |
| 1 | Ashley McGrath | Brisbane | The Gabba | 2011 | Round 7 | 6 | 0 | 36 |
| 4 | Tom Lynch | Gold Coast | The Gabba | 2015 | Round 19 | 5 | 2 | 32 |
| 4 | Tom Lynch | Gold Coast | The Gabba | 2016 | Round 4 | 5 | 2 | 32 |
| 4 | Jonathan Brown | Brisbane | Carrara Stadium | 2013 | Round 3 | 5 | 1 | 31 |
| 4 | Nathan Krakouer | Gold Coast | The Gabba | 2011 | Round 7 | 5 | 1 | 31 |
| 4 | Peter Wright | Gold Coast | Carrara Stadium | 2016 | Round 16 | 5 | 1 | 31 |
| 4 | Tom Lynch | Gold Coast | Carrara Stadium | 2016 | Round 16 | 5 | 0 | 30 |
Most career goals
Hitouts
Most hitouts in a game
| # | 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 |
| 4 | Stefan Martin | Brisbane | 2015 | Round 5 | 42 |
Most career hitouts
Disposals
Most disposals in a game
Most career disposals
Clearances
Most clearances in a game
Most career clearances
Career Brownlow votes
| # | 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 |