By Jack Alfonso, Zac Standish and Chris Nice
QClash honours rest with Gold Coast after narrowly dispatching Brisbane by a mere five points in what was the 15th clash between the two Queensland teams.
The Suns were lucky to escape with the four points, after Cameron Rayner missed a shot on the run to level the scores in the dying seconds of the game.
Gold Coast had an even spread of contributors in the midfield, with Touk Miller and Brayden Fiorini among the best, while Brisbane's Alex Witherden starred with a solid 27 touches and a brilliant purple patch in the final term.
With both sides itching to bounce back from poor performances last week, it was always going to be an intense start to the QClash.
The Lions delivered, with a Stefan Martin clearance setting up a goal for Lewis Taylor just 12 seconds into the match.
Exhibiting all the run early, Brisbane looked sharp to begin proceedings, with all memories of last week's embarrassment against Richmond seemingly forgotten.
But despite having all the ball, the Lions couldn't capitalise any further, as the Suns got back on track after stealing a goal against the run of play through Darcy MacPherson.
Touk Miller would be handed a crucial tagging role on Brisbane star Dayne Zorko, limiting his influence as the latter struggled to get any of the ball in open space.
As a result, Gold Coast got right on top around the ground, with a second to MacPherson handing the Suns the lead.
Although an opportunistic goal by youngster Zac Bailey would get the game back on level terms, it was clear the Suns were dominant in the midfield, making light work of the Lions.
Late goals to captain Tom Lynch and Fiorini would give Gold Coast the crucial break they needed, going into quarter-time with a comfortable 11-point lead.
Brisbane came out fired-up in the second quarter as they wrestled back momentum around the ground.
Their efforts wouldn’t amount to much however, as four straight behinds to start the quarter would cause mountains of frustrations for coach Chris Fagan.
No. 1 draft pick Cameron Rayner eventually broke the deadlock through a clever soccer to bring the Lions within a kick midway through the quarter.
Yet the Suns would spring to life however, as a clever snap from Lynch brought the margin back out to 10 points before Fiorini put through his second to extend their lead further.
The well-held Zorko would finally get off his leash late in the second to mark inside 50 and convert, bringing his side back in touch with their crosstown rivals.
A classy soccer out of congestion right before half-time by Jarryd Lyons would again break the Lions' momentum, with the lead stretching out to 14 points at the main break.
Gold Coast continued their offensive going into the third term, with back-to-back goals from Aaron Young and Sam Day catapulting the Suns to a four-goal advantage.
While co-captain Steven May came off the field with a dislocated finger, it would be the one of the few sour notes for the opening stages of the term as Nick Holman jagged another one through for the Suns.
Yet the Lions refused to bow their heads.
Mustering seven inside 50s halfway through the third term, albeit with no score resulting thanks to their poor ball use, the Lions emphasised their endeavour around the contest - a trait which held them in good stead during three of their past four games.
Charlie Cameron finally got the ball moving for the Lions, before Eric Hipwood booted consecutive majors to give his side a sniff.
Both sides were to rue their missed opportunities to ascend, with the margin standing at 15 points at the final change.
The injury-free May made his impact on the scoreboard early for the Suns, putting through his first of the day to give his side some much-needed breathing room.
But three quickfire goals to the Lions - courtesy of Daniel McStay, Cameron and Hipwood - brought the Lions to just one straight kick away of taking out the QClash honours.
Cameron's goal in particular was a highlight for the Lions, after the small forward weaved his way around three Suns' defenders before snapping the ball through on a ludicrously tight angle.
The challenge was presented to the Lions however after Zorko temporarily came off the field with an injury complaint.
But Witherden stepped up to the plate in his brief absence, finishing his night with 27 disposals, eight of which came in the final ten minutes of the game.
A chance to bury the Lions went begging after Lynch shied one away to the right with just over a minute left on the clock - the margin resting at just six points.
With an opportunity to draw the game with seven seconds to go, a running Rayner was only able to kick a point from just outside 50 to bring the margin to five points.
The siren rang as he kicked the ball.
A win once again eluding the vigilant Brisbane, the Lions now sit at 0-5; their hopes of securing their maiden victory for the 2018 season once again dashed.
Brisbane will be searching for their first win against Greater Western Sydney next Saturday afternoon, while Gold Coast will be hoping to make their tally one better when they come up against Adelaide away.
BRISBANE 2.3 4.7 7.9 10.11 (71) GOLD COAST 4.2 7.3 10.6 11.10 (76)
GOALS Brisbane: Hipwood 3, Cameron 2, Taylor, Bailey, Rayner, Zorko, McStay, Gold Coast: MacPherson 2, Lynch 2, Fiorini 2, Lyons, Young, Day, Holman, May
BEST Brisbane: Berry, Witherden, Martin, McCluggage, Cameron, Andrews Gold Coast: Miller, Fiorini, May, Swallow, Weller, Harbrow
INJURIES Brisbane: Nil Gold Coast: MacPherson (lower leg), May (dislocated finger)
TALKING POINTS
1. SO CLOSE...
A win for Brisbane was needed more than ever after their shellacking against Richmond last week, but again those four points seemed to slip past luckless Lions.
They would have settled for two points, and had the opportunity to do so in the final seconds of the game through Cameron Rayner.
With the seven seconds on the clock, the Lions found space along the wing, before the ball found its way into the hands of the No. 1 draft pick.
The clock ticking down, Rayner unleashed a kick from outside the 50 which missed to the left just as the final siren sounded.
It would have only been two points - and would have been the second draw of the round - but it still would have been something on the board for the Lions' efforts.
That win is just around the corner.
2. TOUK MILLER WAS SUBLIME
Touk Miller played a superb game, finishing with 21 touches, seven clearances and the Marcus Ashcroft Medal to show for his efforts.
Playing on Dayne Zorko, the tenacious Miller quashed his influence and kept last year's All-Australian to just 10 for the entire game.
By stamping out Zorko's impact, Miller played a match-winning role for the Suns, and backed it up with a desperate smother in the final two minutes to allow his side to hold onto victory.
Top effort, Touk.
And great sportsmanship...
3. DAYNE ZORKO's SNUB
Dayne Zorko capped off his lacklustre game with something almost - if not more - disappointing.
As players shook hands post-match, Touk Miller approached the frustrated Brisbane midfielder who didn't extend his hand out and told the young Sun where to go.
Racking up only 10 touches and giving away six free kicks, coupled with his side's fifth consecutive loss, it's understandable to be disheartened.
But such an action is unsportsmanlike.
While some will say it shows heart and the sheer disappointment in the loss, you can still acknowledge and respect the opposition.
Especially to your direct opponent who outclassed you for the entire day.
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