BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD FOR SUNS
GOLD COAST’S MEN AND WOMEN HIT STRIDE
THE AFLW world will have to wait 12 more months to find out who comes up trumps in Queensland football after Gold Coast and Brisbane played out just the fourth draw in AFLW history at Metricon Stadium.
Assistant Lions coach Daniel Merrett declared after the game there was “more rivalry” in the inaugural female QClash on Saturday than in the men’s version.
It was easy to see why after the Suns overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to draw 4.4 (28) with their Queensland competitors.
“Half their team played for us last year so from a rivalry stakes it was real, for sure,” said Merrett, who played 200 AFL games for the Lions including the inaugural men’s QClash in 2011.
Despite failing to claim a last-grasp win, Suns coach David Lake lauded his side’s desire to fight their way back and nearly overrun an undefeated Lions outfit.
“To be able to change the way we play to be competitive in the second half, that’s the massive thing for me,” Lake said. “This (Brisbane) is a four-year team and we’re still learning.”
Stepping in for head coach Craig Starcevich who fell ill on the eve of the match, Merrett said the Lions were lucky to escape with a draw after the Suns gained ascendancy after the halftime break.
“Hopefully he (Starcevich) didn’t watch that game,” Merrett joked.
“I didn’t totally stuff it up but I almost did. We were second to the ball.
“When momentum starts, it’s so hard to stop.”
With the Suns down by nine points at the final break, Lake said midfielder Jamie Stanton delivered an impassioned plea to her team which very nearly delivered Gold Coast their second AFLW win after defeating Richmond last weekend.
Former Lions forward Kalinda Howarth goaled with four minutes to go, levelling the scores at 28-28.
Despite many opportunities, the Suns couldn’t find the sticks one final time as a desperate smother from Lions teenager Lily Postlethwaite denied the Suns a historic QClash victory.
“Just kick a bloody point,” Suns winger Tiarna Ernst said of her thoughts in the dying seconds.
“I think we all had the mentality that we could get over the line so it’s a bit disappointing we didn’t get there in the end.”