The Brisbane Lions have made a fourth consecutive preliminary final after overcoming a hot-starting Gold Coast Suns side, leaving the Gabba as 53-point winners.

Gold Coast got the early leg up in the contest by controlling the aerial space, with spearhead Ben King particularly dominant. However, things changed once Lions senior coach Chris Fagan made the adjustment of sending Harris Andrews to King instead of Darcy Gardiner, and as the ball fell to the turf more often, Brisbane's midfield's relentless pressure was too much for the Suns to handle.

The Lions would lead the tackle count 21-7 at the first intermission and eventually win the metric by 7 for the game. Josh Dunkley's efforts were the primary reason for this outcome, recording an AFL Finals record 18 tackles, ousting Jimmy Bartel's previous record.

However, the game really took shape in Brisbane's favour in the second quarter, a term dominated by 2024 Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft. The 21-year-old tore the Suns apart, kicking two goals from nine disposals, as well as recording three clearances and seven contested possessions.

He, and Hugh McCluggage, who went into half-time with 21 disposals and seven contested possessions, were instrumental in Brisbane's ability to maintain possession and territory for extended stints and Gold Coast's defence buckled under the pressure.

It all came to a head in the third quarter. Gold Coast failed to capitalise on several early chances and the Lions' impressive ability to transition the ball from their defensive half created what were essentially 12-point swings, blowing the margin out to as much as 42 points.

Ultimately, the Suns would kick just 0.4 for the quarter, their fifth time going goalless in a quarter this season. It set up a relatively relaxed final term for Lions fans as they calmly put away the Suns to claim the fourth and final place in September's penultimate weekend.

Despite the early exit from Finals and disappointing second half, Gold Coast's most successful season in club history will be remembered for a long time yet.

Senior coach Damien Hardwick said that, while reeling in disappointment, he was ultimately "proud" of the playing group following the Suns' historic campaign.

"It's hard, I reckon, at the moment. You sort of look at the game and you're so incredibly disappointed," Hardwick said.

"A whole heap of fans here, a whole lot of support and you sort of feel like you disapointed them.

"But also, we've had a hell of a ride. I'm really proud of our footy club. We did change the narrative of the Gold Coast Suns and I'm really proud of what the organisation is standing for at the moment."

The Lions will now travel back to the MCG to play the Collingwood Magpies in a mouthwatering clash as they hunt a third consecutive Grand Final appearance.

Re-live all the action from our live blog coverage below!

MATCH STATS >>> BRISBANE VS GOLD COAST MATCH CENTRE

 2025-09-13T09:35:00Z 
Brisbane WON BY 53 POINTS
Gabba
BL   
100
FT
47
   GC
    #AFLLionsSuns
MATCH CENTRE ▶︎   

FULL TIME

Brisbane: 14.16 100
Gold Coast: 6.11 47

0:43 - BEHIND: Bailey Humphrey gets no luck as he takes the Suns' second half scoring to 1.6.

2:45 - BEHIND: Lachie Weller's hard running gives him an attempt at goal but he can't pull the kick back enough.

3:50 - GOAL: Lohmann is one of many Lions having a night to remember, going around the corner to snag his third goal. Lions by 55.

5:00 - BEHIND: Lohmann's effort isn't his best and the Sherrin sails through for a behind.

7:39 - GOAL: Zac Bailey goes bang from range and it's all but over at the Gabba!

9:30 - GOAL: Ainsworth kicks Gold Coast's third goal since quarter time to cut the margin to 41 points.

14:27 - BEHIND: The Lions have kicked five straight behinds now following a shank from Oscar McInerney directly in front, who was kicking on the run.

16:30 - BEHIND: Zac Bailey can't convert from a snap shot following a free kick.

18:16 - BEHIND: Cameron Rayner finds himself in space as Gold Coast defence tires, but he misses his running attempt to the left side of goals.

18:58 - BEHIND: Charlie Cameron earns a free kick for holding the man but his 50-metre attempt misses right.

Three-Quarter Time

Brisbane: 12.10 82
Gold Coast: 5.9 39

2:49 - BEHIND: Oscar McInerney's attempt from the goal square is spoiled and falls to Cameron but he rushes his kick and it hits the post.

3:50 - GOAL: Ty Gallop kicks his first AFL goal with a snap from a tight angle and the Lions go up by seven goals!

4:33 - BEHIND: Jarrid Berry's running attempt is no good.

5:24 - BEHIND: Touk Miller has an opportunity to give the Suns some life but his kick is poor and goes short-side.

7:50 - SUB: Ethan Read (tactical) has been substituted out of the game for David Swallow.

8:07 - BEHIND: Rayner sidesteps a pair of Gold Coast defenders but sprays his shot right.

9:42 - BEHIND: The Brisbane defence spoils over a shot attempt. The Suns are 0.3 this term.

11:26 - GOAL: Zac Bailey takes an impressive mark and quickly goals. Brisbane lead by 36.

12:23 - BEHIND: Bailey Humphrey elects to kick a snap from directly in front and it curves too much, going by the wrong side of the left goal post.

15:04 - BEHIND: Will Ashcroft bursts through the centre and receives a pinpoint kick from Charlie Cameron. His run gives him a look at goal but the ball goes left and it's a minor score.

18:05 - GOAL: Kai Lohmann kicks his second to extend the margin to 30 points and Gold Coast need a response.

19:05 - BEHIND: Touk Miller's burst along the wing sets up a Jy Farrar set shot, but he hits the post. Four goals separate the two sides.

20:00 - STAT: Will Ashcroft enters the second half off one of the most damaging individual quarters of the season, recording nine disposals, seven contested possessions, three clearances and two goals in the second term. The 2024 Norm Smith medallist lives for these moments.

HALF-TIME

Brisbane: 9.6 60
Gold Coast: 5.5 35

0:00 - STAT: After struggling with the tag against Geelong, Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage has been unleashed with little pressure from the Suns in this contest, recording a game-high 21 disposals to the main break. How coach Damien Hardwick has Gold Coast adjust in the second half will be an intriguing watch.

0:55 - GOAL: It's a new game-high lead for the Lions as Zac Bailey kicks one from close range.

1:56 - BEHIND: John Noble fails to give the Suns a desperately needed goal as Brisbane continue to dominate territory this quarter.

5:28 - GOAL: New-look Kai Lohmann gets out the back of the Suns defence and kicks truly. The Lions go up 20 and might be running away with it.

7:27 - GOAL: Will Ashcroft takes an intercept mark inside 50 off John Noble, which he punishes the Suns for, letting the crowd know about it.

8:09 - BEHIND: Returning ruck Oscar McInerney has an attempt out of the ruck contest but misses.

11:32 - GOAL: Connor Budarick links up with Sam Flanders and the Suns get some reprieve. It's back to seven points.

13:19 - GOAL: The Lions' pressure is cracking the Suns, as a relentless effort from Cam Rayner leads to a 65-metre launch and goal from the centre circle, guided in by a cheeky bump off the ball by Zac Bailey.

14:32 - GOAL: Will Ashcroft is having himself a game, kicking an unlikely goal from 30 metres out. He now has eight disposals and a game-high four clearances for the match.

16:37 - GOAL: Matthew Rowell wins a free kick off the ball inside 50 and capitalises via a set shot 40 metres out.

17:46 - GOAL: Morris gets a headstart on his direct opponent Mac Andrew and is found with space inside 50. He kicks truly as Brisbane open the scoring for the second term.

20:00 - STAT: Brisbane's pressure was elite in the first quarter, out-tackling the Suns 21-7. They also laid five tackles inside 50 that quarter - their season average for a full match is 11.7.

Quarter Time

Brisbane: 3.5 23
Gold Coast: 3.4 22

0:30 - BEHIND: Jy Farrar wins a down-field free kick, which sets up an Ainsworth mark inside 50, but his set shot is from a difficult angle and he fails to get enough purchase. One point game.

2:05 - BEHIND: Cam Rayner finds the footy from the ruck contest inside 50 but his snap has too much on it.

3:11 - BEHIND: Ben Long claims a mark and immediately plays on, dribbling the ball just past the goal mouth for a behind.

5:00 - BEHIND: A rushed behind for Brisbane extends their advantage.

5:40 - BEHIND: Ty Gallop sprays a set shot right, Will Ashcroft creating the set shot with a crafty kick.

8:08 - TACTIC: Chris Fagan has thrown the magnets around, with Harris Andrews now matched up on Ben King instead of Gardiner.

8:20 - GOAL:  Ashcroft's dish to Morris gets the ball centred from the key forward to Jarrod Berry directly in front. His set shot is accurate and Lions lead again.

9:34 - GOAL: Ben King is dominating inside 50, the Suns rebound immediately following Brisbane's behind to find him in a one-on-one contest. He kicks his second to put Gold Coast back in front.

10:35 - BEHIND: The pace of the semi-final is other worldly, with Ashcroft quickly moving the football down the other end, but his shot from 45 metres goes awry.

11:04 - BEHIND: King almost out-marks Gardiner again, but fumbles the ball and cannot connect with his boot. Ainsworth gathers the loose ball but pressure from the Lions defences forces a near-side point.

11:59 - GOAL: Callum Ah Chee crumbs a hot footy just outside the goal square and quickly finds his boot, kicking truly.

13:09 - BEHIND: The Suns go end to end following a Logan Morris miss, finding Ben King inside 50 for his second mark. He pushes the ball right for a minor score.

15:21 - GOAL: A patch of chaos inside 50 sees Logan Morris find the ball 25 metres out, turning and snapping Brisbane's first major of the night. He's now the third youngest player since 2000 to kick 50 goals in a season.

17:14 - GOAL: Noah Anderson bursts through the centre square, gets the handball receive from Touk Miller and drills a 55-metre kick through the big sticks! Suns up 11.

17:40 - GOAL: Ben King takes a strong pack mark, out-dueling Darcy Gardiner and punts the first of the game from 15 metres out.

19:39 - BEHIND: Dayne Zorko launches a booming kick from the centre square but the Suns claim possession and rush the ball over the goal line.

20:00 (remaining) - FIRST BOUNCE: The ball is bounced and we're underway!

Pre-Game

Brisbane enter the blockbuster as favourites but will be required to manage the key loss of Lachie Neale, who suffered a calf injury in the Lions' qualifying final loss to Geelong.

The Lions have named fan-favourite Bruce Reville as his replacement, who will start as sub, with Oscar McInerney also earning a call up into the senior side following an impressive performance in the VFL last week. Sam Day has been omitted in his place.

The Suns, meanwhile, have made no changes for the derby, with senior coach Damien Hardwick backing in their 23 that defeated Fremantle in the elimination final to step up again. Retiring club legend David Swallow will start as sub again this week.

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