How far can Librothers go? Four things learnt in Lions' QClash triumph
Will was a deserved winner of the Marcus Ashcroft Medal – named after his three-time premiership-winning father – in finishing with a match-high 34 disposals along with nine clearances, while younger brother Levi claimed 29 disposals and three clearances as his stocks continue to grow.
'I don't try and think about [winning the medal] … but it's something that's been joked about at different times that it would be pretty cool to win it.'
Will Ashcroft
Never has a clash between these two highway rivals occurred with both locked inside the top four, in a sign of the grand strides Suns coach Damien Hardwick has taken in his second year at the helm of the club.
However, the showcase proved the Lions were the premiers for a reason, leaving their fade out against Collingwood their only blemish eight matches into their campaign, with even Hardwick lamenting they could not withstand the midfield onslaught they were on the receiving end of.
'We knew we were facing the best Gold Coast team we've ever faced, so that's how we prepared ourselves.'
Lions coach Chris Fagan
The King gets dethroned
All year, Suns star Ben King had been on a one-way track towards the Coleman Medal – kicking goals at will at becoming a formidable force in the Gold Coast's forward pocket.
Yet come Sunday night, he was completely shut out of the contest.
It took him until almost six minutes into the third quarter to get his first kick for the night - a set shot from directly in front for one of the simplest goals of his career, and only one for the night to finish with just two kicks and one mark.
Backline stars Darcy Wilmott, Dayne Zorko and Harris Andrews were strong at the back, combining for 28 marks to help deprived King of any genuine possession, who had punted 23 goals in his six outings until Sunday night.
Jack Payne, however, was largely responsible for keeping King at bay, with Lions coach Chris Fagan praising his ability to 'make it hard' for King to get his hands on the Sherrin.
Fellow Suns star Matt Rowell was also kept quiet, limited to just 16 disposals and one clearance - having also been well contained by Sydney last week having averaged roughly 28 touches heading into that win against the Swans.
'I sit there and go he's too honest, he needs to be looked after more. Brisbane did an outstanding job on him, but he doesn't get enough protection as a ball player. They target him … he needs some help.'
Damien Hardwick on Matt Rowell
Weller agony continues
Lachie Weller has already endured a tumultuous time on the injury front, and now the Suns star is expected to be sidelined again for an extended period.
The midfield gun cut a forlorn figure on the sideline when the second half resumed, having already suffered a frustrating run which has included two ruptured ACLs.
Weller had only managed two disposals and a clearance before leaving the field, with Hardwick admitting he would likely be out of action for a period.
'It's a hamstring, how significant we're not too sure. We'll get that scanned in te next coupe of days, but when you don't finish the game … he won't play probably for the next couple of weeks.'
Damien Hardwick
Lions forward Sam Day has also suffered a hamstring injury, with Fagan saying he remained uncertain on the extent of the setback but admitting it was likely he would spend time in the casualty ward.
Scheduling conflict
This had been set up as the best and most enthralling QClash in the game's history. So, could we not have ensured it did not fight with a rival code's biggest weekend for viewership?
The fact tonight's war took place on the same night as the NRL's Magic Round, ironically on the same day as the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos took to the Suncorp Stadium turf – albeit earlier than the Lions' triumph – was the last thing sporting fans need.
Sure, there's the argument that few fans of the respective sports would attend the opposite fixtures, but the QClash and Magic Round concepts are defining moments in the calendars which even the most blasé of pundits can get behind.
There have been reports suggesting concern out of rugby league circles about the inroads Aussie rules is making in the western corridor of the state – regions such as Ipswich and Toowoomba which have traditionally been NRL heartland.
However, both sports have proven they can thrive simultaneously, with each reporting strong periods of growth by the end of 2024 when it came down to grassroots participation across Queensland.
They can each succeed on their own merits.
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King would have struggled to believe only a matter of weeks ago if you suggested he'd be a starting Blues prop in 2025, much less when one considers he was thrown a lifeline by the Bulldogs in 2022 after more than 500 days out with an Achilles issue. "You could have asked me six weeks ago and I wouldn't have believed it," he said. "The first (camp) I'd go back to my room every day and think 'Wow, I can't believe I'm here.' I'd look at my training gear and couldn't believe I was wearing a Blues shirt. I don't want to lose that, I don't want this to be normal. "I feel so fortunate for everything that's happened this year, everything that's happened in clubland." But King admits he's someone who's historically needed convincing in his own abilities. It's just in his nature to be humble. "Growing up, if there was one thing I lacked a bit in my career it probably was confidence, believing that I'm that guy," he said. "It's probably tied in with my humility." Coach Daley gave King the chance to find that confidence within himself when he spoke to the prop ahead of his debut at Suncorp Stadium. "One thing Laurie did say is just because you're selected doesn't mean you're an Origin player," King said. "What you do with that selection defines whether you're an Origin player. "(Origin I) was a test for me and it was to prove to a lot of people, but it was to prove it to myself that I am an Origin player and I do belong there." It's why King is now feeling up to the task of taking it to Queensland's pack, who will be smarting from a Blues masterclass in game one. "Starting the game is fantastic and a great experience for me because we'll see the best Queensland side we've seen all series especially in that first 20 minutes," he said. "It's another chance to prove to myself that I belong here. Baptism by fire I guess, going straight into the belly of the beast."
