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PLAYER RATINGS: Lions maul the Suns in maiden Q-Clash final
Nicholas Quinlan • September 14th, 2025 1:49 am
Brisbane has managed to beat its little brother in the Gold Coast Suns in their maiden Q-Clash final.
Despite the Suns getting out to a good start, the Lions dominated the match from there on out, with their ball movement from their defensive half proving too damaging.
Following a scoreless third quarter by the Suns, the result was sealed in Brisbane’s favour.
Here are SEN.com.au’s player ratings from the match.
BRISBANE
Josh Dunkley: A+
Had the match-up on Rowell throughout the game and definitely had an impact on his game. He was an absolute tackling machine with 11 tackles in the first half alone, showing that he is one of the best taggers when needed.
Will Ashcroft: A+
Phenomenal second quarter with plenty of impact after that. Managed to beat Anderson in the two goals he scored for the match. Really did well around the stoppage, being able to find the ball, get some clearances and set up his teammates for a fair few scores.
Dayne Zorko: A
Found enough of the ball and moved it with great effect from defence by foot. It’s what we’ve come to expect from the former captain.
Harris Andrews: A
Had to make the move to King after Gardiner was well and truly beaten early on. Played him well and shut him out from a scoring perspective whilst still maintaining his intercept game.
Hugh McCluggage: A
After last week’s disappointment, McCluggage responded with interest. Led the game in disposals and clearances, which the Lions dominated.
Darcy Wilmot: A-
Assisted Andrews with the intercept game, which helped when the captain had to go on King early.
Jarrod Berry: A-
Was a great connecting piece between the defence and the attack. Sent the ball forward with ease.
Zac Bailey: B+
Didn’t find as much of the ball as he did last week, but he made every disposal count with an equal game high of three goals.
Ty Gallop: B
Had his best game at the AFL level. Kicked his first goal for Brisbane and did so in style, managing to beat Sam Collins in a marking contest and kicked it from the boundary. Grew into his role as the game went on, which is a positive sign in his development.
Kai Lohmann: B
He might have a new look, but Lohmann still had plenty of scoreboard impact in a semi-final once again. Picked up a bit of an ankle injury during the match, but played through it. He should be fine for their clash against Collingwood.
Jaspa Fletcher: B
He could have been better with the ball in hand, but he just seems to perform in every final he plays.
Cam Rayner: B-
Kicked three behinds, yet the only goal he scored was from the edge of the centre circle, which should have been called off.
Logan Morris: B-
Got the first goal for the Lions, which broke the Suns’ initial scoring run at the start of the match.
Ryan Lester: C+
Darcy Fort: C+
As the main ruck option, Fort was consistently beaten by Witts. He was lucky that it didn’t turn into them being beaten in the clearance game.
Sam Marshall: C+
Had a poor defensive effort that led to Anderson’s first goal. But quickly redeemed himself by finding Morris for the Lions’ first.
Oscar McInerney: C+
His first game back since Round 20, McInerney proved a handy addition as the second ruck alongside creating some forward pressure, which saw some chances on goal for himself.
Darcy Gardiner: C
Got dominated on early by King, which forced a change of match-up. Never a good sign if that happens. Did better after switching off from him.
Levi Ashcroft: C
Charlie Cameron: C
Gave away a dumb 50 metre penalty, which he would have regretted. Should have kicked a goal as well, but went 0.3 instead.
Callum Ah Chee: C
Brandon Starcevich: D+
All his impact came in the second quarter. He was barely sighted before or after that.
SUB – Bruce Reville: N/A
Came on when the result was already secured.
Gold Coast
Matt Rowell: A-
Still had some impact in the game, but was curtailed by Dunkley, who followed him all night. Still did well at clearance despite the Lions being far better at it.
Noah Anderson: B+
Managed to avenge last week by nailing that running goal from the centre to give the Suns a two-goal lead. Although he didn’t seem to have the same impact as he did last week, despite a similar stat line.
Touk Miller: B+
Picked up the most disposals for the Suns, but his struggle to get clearances contributed to the Suns’ issues around turning those hit outs into scores from clearance.
Sam Collins: B+
Played every second of the match and tried his best. Could only do so much.
Bodhi Uwland: B+
A consistent four-quarter performance. He played his role well.
Brayden Fiorini: B-
Got better as the game developed.
John Noble: B-
Had some good moments throughout the match, particularly going forward. But also made some bad decisions, like his intended kick to Anderson, which was turned into a W. Ashcroft intercept and goal.
Ben King: C+
After going 0.3 last week, King started the game a lot better, booting two goals in the first quarter. Forced Andrews to switch onto to him and had no scoring impact after that.
Connor Budarick: C+
Found himself having to find the ball up the ground. Got better as the game went on.
Joel Jeffery: C+
Was able to take the ball from the defensive 50 and run it up the ground, particularly early on in the game.
Dan Rioli: C+
Jarrod Witts: C+
Managed to beat both McInerney and Fort in the ruck contest. But that didn’t translate into success with clearances, which hindered the Suns greatly.
Sam Flanders: C+
Bailey Humphrey: C
Only had two disposals at half-time. Got more involved in the second half, but turned the ball over too many times.
Lachie Weller: C
Jy Farrah: C-
Got up the ground and had an impact on the contest when he was there. Would have preferred to have had more possessions inside 50 thou.
Mac Andrew: C-
Made the switch forward midway through the third quarter to try to provide a spark. That didn’t have the same effect as it did against Fremantle.
Wil Powell: C-
Ben Ainsworth: C-
Definitely improved from last week. Kicked the Suns’ first second-half goal.
Alex Davies: C-
Ben Long: D-
Only had four touches for the game, with one of those a behind. A disappointing night to say the least.
Ethan Read: D-
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Had an opportunity go begging in the first quarter. His night didn’t get much better beyond that and was subsequently subbed out.
Had an opportunity go begging in the first quarter. His night didn’t get much better beyond that and was subsequently subbed out.
SUB – David Swallow: N/A
Came on in the third quarter for Read in what is his last game for the Suns. Did his bit but the game was over by the time he got on the ground, the game was over.
