Top 5 Moments from the AFL QClash – Rhys Mathieson Chimes In
About The Author
Rhys Mathieson is a former AFL midfielder known for his toughness, competitive edge and spirited personality on and off the field. After years at the top level, he’s shifted his focus to lifestyle, wellbeing and storytelling—sharing insights from his playing career, the lessons learned along the way and the mindset that shaped him as an athlete. Today, Rhys brings his honest, down-to-earth voice to our blog, offering readers a unique mix of sport, culture, personal growth and real-life reflections.
If you’ve ever played in a derby, you’ll know it’s never just another game. There’s always a bit of chat, a bit of push and shove, and a lot of pride on the line. And up here in Queensland, that means the AFL QClash – Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns.
I’ve played in a few of these, and trust me, there’s always spice! The Suns love talking it up, building it all week like it’s the main event, while we just get on with it. That’s what makes it even better when you beat them – less talk and more on the scoreboard.
Here’s my take on some of the biggest QClash moments that made the rivalry what it is today.
The Suns shock the Lions – QClash 1 (2011)
Let’s kick it off with the one that started it all – and yeah, it still hurts a bit. The Gold Coast Suns were the new kids in town, and everyone thought they’d get rolled in their first crack at us. Instead, they pulled off an eight-point upset at the Gabba.
You’ve got to give them credit too – they really came out fired up. Guys like Gary Ablett Jr. and Michael Rischitelli led the way, and they played like a team that had something to prove. For us, it was a serious wake-up call. Now losing to the new club up the road was not ideal at all. From that point on, no one took the QClash lightly again. That first one gave it teeth, and that little bit of embarrassment never hurts a rivalry.
Pearce Hanley’s dominance – QClash 6 (2013)
This one was an absolute clinic. Pearce Hanley didn’t just play well, he owned the game. Forty-five touches, a couple of snags, and about a hundred metres gained every time he got near it.
Hanley was clean, creative, and made it look easy. That kind of performance gave the Brisbane Lions a strut heading into future Q clashes. Sometimes the big moments aren’t the hits though, they’re the games where a bloke just takes it to another level.
Steven May’s bump on Stefan Martin – QClash 11 (2016)
If you talk QClash history, this one always comes up. Steven May’s hit on Stefan Martin in 2016 was huge, just not in a good way, though. May lined him up and caught him high; Stef went down hard and was stretchered off. May got five weeks for it, and the whole thing gave the rivalry a serious jolt. Suddenly, it wasn’t just a local derby, now it was personal. You could feel the tension in all the games that followed.
Zorko vs Touk Miller – The rivalry within the rivalry
This one’s easily my favourite. The Dayne Zorko vs Touk Miller matchup gave the AFL QClash some real spark. It kicked off around 2018, when Miller went to Zorks and gave him nothing all day. It got real fiery with a few bumps, a few words, and a post-game handshake that never happened. From then on, it was must-watch every time the Suns and Lions played. For me, that was the best bit of it. I used to love knowing Zorks was going to get targeted because it meant I could get involved and back him up. If someone had a crack at him, they knew they’d get one right back from me. It was good, honest footy – the kind of stuff that makes a derby worth playing in. Now Touk’s a gun and plays hard, and Zorks gives as good as he gets but that’s what you want. A rivalry within a rivalry, and it still fires up the crowd every time they’re near the ball.
Charlie Cameron lighting it up – QClash 18 (2019)
By 2019, we’d started to properly take control of the rivalry, and this game was the exclamation mark. Charlie Cameron kicked five, including a couple of absolute screamers, and the Gabba crowd went nuts. That win felt like the shift , putting the Brisbane Lions back on top in Queensland footy, and the QClash started feeling a bit more one-sided since then.
When Charlie’s up and about, there’s nothing more fun to watch. That was one of those nights where everything clicked from the pressure, goals, and a few laughs along the way.
Why the QClash works
The AFL QClash might not have the history of Carlton vs Collingwood or Essendon vs Hawthorn, but it’s got its own flavour, proper Queensland flavour. It’s scrappy, unpredictable, and always entertaining.
For the players, it’s about bragging rights and pride. For the fans, it’s about getting one over the neighbours up the highway, and for blokes like me, it’s about moments like Zorko vs Touk, May’s hit on Stef, and Hanley’s masterclass. All those little battles that make the rivalry tick.