Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns preview, tips, odds and teams – 2014 AFL Round 18

The first game on Saturday for AFL Round 18 is between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns. The opening bounce is set to commence at 4:40 PM with the game to be played at Gabba. The favourite for the match is away team Gold Coast Suns. View our preview and teams for the game between Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns.

Round: Round 18, Saturday  July 26, 2014, 4:40 PM
Stadium: Gabba
Weather: 25° late shower possible storm

Featured Bookmakers:

Tips: Brisbane to win at $2.65 with Sportsbet.com.au + get a $250 FREE BET on the match via this link!

Preview:

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.

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.
Teams:
BRISBANE
B: Darcy Gardiner, Matt Maguire, Justin Clarke
HB: Joel Patfull, Daniel McStay, Ryan Harwood
C: Ashley McGrath, James Aish, Sam Mayes
HF: Lewis Taylor, Michael Close, Josh Green
F: Dayne Zorko, Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock
Fol: Stefan Martin, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley
I/C: Jack Crisp, Rohan Bewick, Claye Beams, Ryan Lester
Emg: Nick Robertson, Jordan Lisle, Zac O’Brien
In: Tom Rockliff, Jack Crisp
Out: Marco Paparone (Omitted), Mitch Golby (foot)

GOLD COAST
B: Michael Rischitelli, Steven May, Greg Broughton
HB: Sean Lemmens, Rory Thompson, Jarrod Harbrow
C: Jack Martin, Danny Stanley, Matt Shaw
HF: Luke Russell, Tom Lynch, Harley Bennell
F: Charlie Dixon, Sam Day, Aaron Hall
FOLL: Zac Smith, David Swallow, Dion Prestia
I/C: Jaeger O’Meara, Alex Sexton, Clay Cameron, Jesse Lonergan
Emg: Daniel Gorringe, Henry Schade, Louis Herbert
In: Luke Russell, Clay Cameron.
Out: Kade Kolodjashnij (hamstring), Tom Murphy (suspension)
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