Community hub
Recent from talks
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
QClash
The QClash is the Australian rules football derby between the two Queensland-based teams in the Australian Football League (AFL), the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns. The derby has been staged, usually twice annually, since 2011, when Gold Coast defeated Brisbane in the inaugural match, which attracted a then-record pay TV viewership for the sport. As of 2026, the Lions have been the dominant side in the rivalry, winning 22 matches to the Suns' 8.
Various nicknames for the QClash have entered mainstream usage, including the Pineapple Grapple, Banana Bash, and Sunshine Stoush.
The QClash was promoted by the league, the clubs and the football media as a name for the game, in similar terms to the other local derbies that exist in the AFL, such as the Western Derby and Showdown.
"We wanted a name that embodied Queensland, one that was unique and simple. We also wanted to reflect the big scale of the matches. Speaking to the coaches and players, there is no doubt that both teams want to win whenever we come together, and the QClash will be a real battle for state pride." — Former Brisbane Lions CEO Malcolm Holmes.
The medal for the player adjudged best on ground in the QClash is awarded the Marcus Ashcroft Medal. It is named after former footballer Marcus Ashcroft, who played junior football on the Gold Coast for Surfers Paradise/Southport and 318 VFL/AFL games for the Brisbane Bears/Lions between 1989 and 2003. He was the first Queenslander to play 300 VFL/AFL games and later served as a coach and administrator for the Gold Coast Suns. Current Gold Coast captain Touk Miller has won the medal a record four times.
The trophy awarded to the winner of the game is currently known as the "QClash Trophy". The trophy is a traditional-looking silver cup with a wooden base and a plaque. The plaque's inscription reads from left to right, "Brisbane Lions AFC, QCLASH, Gold Coast Suns FC".
The first edition of the QClash took place on 7 May 2011 at the Gabba. The Suns were required to host the inaugural meeting between the two teams at the Gabba as their home ground, Carrara Stadium, was unavailable until later that year. Despite the Lions not having won a game for the season leading into the game, they were considered strong favourites to defeat their Gold Coast neighbours. The Suns had recorded their first ever AFL win two weeks prior to the clash while Brisbane was winless leading into the first ever Queensland derby. In the lead up to the match, triple premiership Lion Simon Black expressed resentment towards the Suns by stating "the AFL have given them everything, and then some" as well as labelling former Brisbane players Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli "mercenaries" because they had joined the Suns in the off season. Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna returned serve by stating that the Suns were brought into the competition to clean up the mess left by the Brisbane Bears, which Lions coach and former Bears player Michael Voss said he took personally and stated that McKenna's comments were "out of line". Two days before the game it was revealed that 10 Queenslanders had been chosen to compete in the clash.
The Suns got off to a hot start in the first quarter and led the clash by 19 points at first exchange of ends. Gold Coast held that lead through the first three quarters and the tension rose early in the third term when Gold Coast's David Swallow unintentionally knocked Brisbane's Andrew Raines unconscious, who was taken off with concussion. Trailing by 19 points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Lions mounted a comeback off the back of six second half goals from Ashley McGrath, who was swung forward at half time. A Todd Banfield goal at the 15-minute mark in the fourth term equaled the scores late in the game but a spectacular pack mark taken by Gold Coast forward Nathan Krakouer a minute later stemmed the tide as he kicked truly for his fifth goal to give the Suns a one-goal lead. McGrath's sixth goal just seconds later again equaled the scores once again. Gold Coast were awarded a controversial free kick for a high tackle a minute later which allowed small forward Brandon Matera to play on and kick the Suns to a seven-point lead that they wouldn't relinquish. The Suns claimed the inaugural QClash 18.16 (124) to 17.14 (116). Former Lion and new Sun Jared Brennan was awarded the inaugural Marcus Ashcroft Medal for his best on ground performance that included 30 disposals and 14 clearances.
Hub AI
QClash AI simulator
(@QClash_simulator)
QClash
The QClash is the Australian rules football derby between the two Queensland-based teams in the Australian Football League (AFL), the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns. The derby has been staged, usually twice annually, since 2011, when Gold Coast defeated Brisbane in the inaugural match, which attracted a then-record pay TV viewership for the sport. As of 2026, the Lions have been the dominant side in the rivalry, winning 22 matches to the Suns' 8.
Various nicknames for the QClash have entered mainstream usage, including the Pineapple Grapple, Banana Bash, and Sunshine Stoush.
The QClash was promoted by the league, the clubs and the football media as a name for the game, in similar terms to the other local derbies that exist in the AFL, such as the Western Derby and Showdown.
"We wanted a name that embodied Queensland, one that was unique and simple. We also wanted to reflect the big scale of the matches. Speaking to the coaches and players, there is no doubt that both teams want to win whenever we come together, and the QClash will be a real battle for state pride." — Former Brisbane Lions CEO Malcolm Holmes.
The medal for the player adjudged best on ground in the QClash is awarded the Marcus Ashcroft Medal. It is named after former footballer Marcus Ashcroft, who played junior football on the Gold Coast for Surfers Paradise/Southport and 318 VFL/AFL games for the Brisbane Bears/Lions between 1989 and 2003. He was the first Queenslander to play 300 VFL/AFL games and later served as a coach and administrator for the Gold Coast Suns. Current Gold Coast captain Touk Miller has won the medal a record four times.
The trophy awarded to the winner of the game is currently known as the "QClash Trophy". The trophy is a traditional-looking silver cup with a wooden base and a plaque. The plaque's inscription reads from left to right, "Brisbane Lions AFC, QCLASH, Gold Coast Suns FC".
The first edition of the QClash took place on 7 May 2011 at the Gabba. The Suns were required to host the inaugural meeting between the two teams at the Gabba as their home ground, Carrara Stadium, was unavailable until later that year. Despite the Lions not having won a game for the season leading into the game, they were considered strong favourites to defeat their Gold Coast neighbours. The Suns had recorded their first ever AFL win two weeks prior to the clash while Brisbane was winless leading into the first ever Queensland derby. In the lead up to the match, triple premiership Lion Simon Black expressed resentment towards the Suns by stating "the AFL have given them everything, and then some" as well as labelling former Brisbane players Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli "mercenaries" because they had joined the Suns in the off season. Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna returned serve by stating that the Suns were brought into the competition to clean up the mess left by the Brisbane Bears, which Lions coach and former Bears player Michael Voss said he took personally and stated that McKenna's comments were "out of line". Two days before the game it was revealed that 10 Queenslanders had been chosen to compete in the clash.
The Suns got off to a hot start in the first quarter and led the clash by 19 points at first exchange of ends. Gold Coast held that lead through the first three quarters and the tension rose early in the third term when Gold Coast's David Swallow unintentionally knocked Brisbane's Andrew Raines unconscious, who was taken off with concussion. Trailing by 19 points at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Lions mounted a comeback off the back of six second half goals from Ashley McGrath, who was swung forward at half time. A Todd Banfield goal at the 15-minute mark in the fourth term equaled the scores late in the game but a spectacular pack mark taken by Gold Coast forward Nathan Krakouer a minute later stemmed the tide as he kicked truly for his fifth goal to give the Suns a one-goal lead. McGrath's sixth goal just seconds later again equaled the scores once again. Gold Coast were awarded a controversial free kick for a high tackle a minute later which allowed small forward Brandon Matera to play on and kick the Suns to a seven-point lead that they wouldn't relinquish. The Suns claimed the inaugural QClash 18.16 (124) to 17.14 (116). Former Lion and new Sun Jared Brennan was awarded the inaugural Marcus Ashcroft Medal for his best on ground performance that included 30 disposals and 14 clearances.