Saturday’s third AFL Round 3 match is between Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions. The opening bounce is set to commence at 3.40pm with the game to be played at Metricon Stadium. The home team Gold Coast Suns are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions.
Round: Round 3, Saturday April 5, 3.40pm
Stadium: Metricon Stadium
Weather: 29° Shower or two.
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Odds Comparison:
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Tips: Gold Coast Suns to win.
Preview:
FOR THE first time since Gold Coast entered the AFL in 2011, the Suns will start a QClash as favourites. Following a strong first-up win against Richmond and competitive loss against Fremantle, the Suns have earned the tag, but won’t get things their own way against the Big Brother Lions. Justin Leppitsch’s men have had a difficult first two rounds, but showed large patches of improvement before ultimately succumbing to reigning premiers Hawthorn and top-four outfit Geelong. They welcome back vice-captain Tom Rockliff from suspension, while the Suns will be better off for the run given to fullback Rory Thompson last week after a disrupted pre-season. The Suns have started to forge a distinctive home ground advantage – winning nine of their past 14 at Metricon Stadium – and need to win these types of games if they want to make finals.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R15, 2013, Brisbane Lions 17.14 (116) d Gold Coast 12.11 (83) at the 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 the Gabba
R21, 2011, Brisbane Lions 18.15 (123) d Gold Coast 8.13 (61) at the Gabba
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Lions defeated Gold Coast twice in 2013, winning by two points in round three at Metricon Stadium and 33 in round 15 at the Gabba.
2. Both teams have struggled for uncontested possessions so far in 2014, with Gold Coast last (averaging 172.5 per game), and the Lions not much better in 16th with 180.5.
3. Since upsetting the Lions in the inaugural QClash in 2011, it has been a barren run for the Suns, losing the past five.
4. These are two of the best tackling teams in the competition, with Gold Coast ranked third (75 per game), and the Lions sixth (73).
5. However both sides have struggled through the opening weeks with disposal efficiency; the Suns are last at 63 per cent, while the Lions are 16th with 66.1 per cent.
6. Two of the shortest players in the competition continue to rocket up the Official AFL Player Ratings. Lion Dayne Zorko (174cm) is now ranked 26th after his 30 disposals against Geelong, while Sun Dion Prestia (175cm) is up to 86th and continually heading north.
Teams:
Gold Coast Suns:
B Rory Thompson, Matthew Warnock,Greg Broughton
HB Steven May, Clay Cameron, Trent McKenzie
C Matt Shaw, Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow
HF Aaron Hall, Tom Lynch, Danny Stanley
F Kade Kolodjashnij, Sam Day, Brandon Matera
FOLL Tom Nicholls, Jaeger O’Meara, Dion Prestia
I/C David Swallow, Sean Lemmens,Michael Rischitelli, Luke Russell
EMG Alex Sexton, Karmichael Hunt, Jeremy Taylor
IN Luke Russell, Matthew Warnock
OUT Charlie Dixon (Adductor),Timmy Sumner (Omitted)
Brisbane Lions:
B Daniel Merrett, Jordan Lisle, Justin Clarke
HB Daniel Rich, Joel Patfull, Jed Adcock
C Pearce Hanley, Brent Moloney, Josh Green
HF Dayne Zorko, Michael Close, Tom Rockliff
F Trent West, Jonathan Brown, Sam Mayes
FOLL Matthew Leuenberger, Jack Redden, Marco Paparone
I/C Ryan Lester, James Aish, Mitch Golby, Lewis Taylor
EMG Jackson Paine, Rohan Bewick, Ryan Harwood
IN Tom Rockliff
OUT Rohan Bewick (Omitted)
