Calling all SUNS fans. It’s a massive day for the club … after 15 years in the AFL it’s the first QClash final against the Lions at the Gabba and the biggest game in Queensland football history.

It’s QClash #30 and QClash Final #1, and will see 23 players desperate to post the most important win in club history to send the SUNS into a preliminary final against Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday.

But those same players, and others at the club, have already played a big part in a QClash journey which began, of course, with ‘man of the moment David Swallow.

He is the SUNS’ sole survivor from the first QClash at the Gabba on Saturday night 7 May 2011, when the ‘new boys’ in the League upset the Lions in front of a crowd of 25,501.

Playing his sixth AFL game, Swallow was the youngest member of a SUNS side in which Sam Day, Tom Lynch and Queenslander Joey Day made their AFL debut, and Gold Coaster Bryce Retzlaff debuted for the Lions.

Danny Stanley kicked the first QClash goal, and when ex-Lion Jared Brennan and Daye followed it was 3-2 to 0-0. The SUNS led by 19 points at quarter-time, 27 points at halftime and 18 points at three-quarter time. But it wasn’t done yet.

When Brisbane bagged the first two goals of the final stanza to lead to seven points alarm bells were ringing in the SUNS coaching box, but they were up for the challenge. Liam Patrick, in his second game, kicked his second goal, and Nathan Krakouer, a priority signing from Port Adelaide, kicked his fourth to make the buffer 19 points.

Brisbane had the next eight scoring shots for a paltry return of 1-7. Still, when Todd Banfield goaled for the home side scores were level at the 24-minute mark. It was game on.

Krakouer jagged his fifth before Ash McGrath replied for the Lions. Scores were level again before Brandon Matera and Patrick goaled for the SUNS. They led by 13 points but there were still five minutes to play.

McGrath pulled one back for the Lions, but a SUNS behind from ex-Lion Jared Brenan as the time-clock ticked over 35 minutes sealed it. The SUNS won 18-16 (124) to 17-14 (116) despite the fact Gary Ablett was held to an un-Ablett-like 20 possessions.

Brennan, with 30 possessions, including a career-best 21 contested possessions, and a goal, picked up three Brownlow Medal votes. Zac Smith, a 21-year-old SUNS ruckman in his sixth game against Lions’ 50-gamer Matthew Leuenberger, had 22 possessions, 17 hit-outs and six clearances for two votes, while McGrath’s six goals for Brisbane earned him one vote.

Michael Rischitelli, the 2010 Brisbane club champion, had 29 possessions, 10 tackles and eight clearances, and Krakouer finished with a career-best five goals.

Fifteen years on Swallow has played a club record 23 times in the QClash, second only to Dayne Zorko’s 26 for Brisbane. He is also ranked #2 behind Zorko for QClash possessions, is #1 for contested possessions and clearances, and #3 for tackles. And he remains the youngest SUNS player in QClash history.

In QClash #6 at the Gabba Campbell Brown played his 200th AFL game, but they were barren times for the competition newcomers.

It was Round 3 2014 before the SUNS had another QClash win. Sean Lemmens will remember it well – it was his third AFL game. He had 16 possessions and a goal in a 53-point triumph at People First Stadium in the first of 15 QClash appearances, which included his 50th in 2017.

Fourteen weeks later, in his third season and his 19th game, Alex Sexton, a zone selection originally from Brisbane club Redland, made his QClash debut. He had 10 possessions and kicked three goals in a nine-goal loss at the Gabba to begin a local derby record that now stands at 12 games. His first Brownlow vote came in QClash #16 when he kicked four goals in a loss in his 96th game in 2018.

It was 2-6 overall in the QClash after four years, but 2015 brought a special double for the SUNS when they won both meetings - by 64 points at PFS in Round 5 and 14 points at PFS in Round 19 – and welcomed to the club one of the real warriors – Touk Miller.

In the SUNS’ first season under Rodney Eade, Miller had had 21 possessions in his fifth game in Round 5, when Charlie Dixon kicked a SUNS QClash record six goals for three votes, and 17 possessions and a goal in Round 18.

Rischitelli had a bitter/sweet experience in QClash #12 – the SUNS won by 26 points at PFS in his 100th game for his second club, but in the opening moments he suffered a knee injury that would sideline him for 12 months.

Round 1 2017 was QClash #13 at PFS. The SUNS turned a 46-point halftime deficit into a gutsy two-point loss notable for the SUNS debut of Jarrod Witts and the AFL debut of Ben Ainsworth. Witts had 10 possessions, 37 hit-outs and a career-best nine tackles, and Answerth began his 16-game QClash journey with 14 possessions and two goals.

Witts has gone on to play 14 times in the QClash, and with 586 ruck hit-outs has 70% more than second-ranked Stefan Martin of Brisbane, and has twice posted major career milestones in the QClash – his 100th AFL game in 2019 and his 100th SUNS game in 2022.

In QClash #14 there was another big milestone when Jarrod Harbrow, an inaugural signing to the club and a member of the SUNS’ first QClash team in 2011, played his 200th game.

Round 5 2018 was QClash #15 and a special moment for a young man who made a massive decision only months earlier to come ‘home’ in a pivotal moment in club history.

Lachie Weller was born in Tasmania but raised on the coast when older brother Maverick was an inaugural SUN. He was a product of the StreetSmarts SUNS Academy but had not lived in Queensland long enough to qualify as a zone draft pick.

He was drafted to Fremantle and after three years in purple on the other side of the country was offered a five-year deal to stay there. But as the trade period wound down he decided his future was on the east coast.

After a hurriedly-arranged dinner with CEO Mark Evans and incoming coach Stuart Dew and a late-night tour of the club’s facilities under the cover of dark he was coming ‘home’, and was rewarded with 23 possessions in a five-point win in his first QClash at the Gabba.

Making their first QClash appearance in the same game were Brayden Fiorini and Nick Holman. Fiorini, in his third season and his 20th game, had a blinder. He had 27 possessions and kicked two goals for three medal votes – the first of his career. Holman, who’d played nine games at Carlton in 2014-15, spent two years with SANFL club Central Districts before a rookie lifeline from the SUNS. He had 18 possessions and a goal in his QClash debut.

In Round 6 2019 – QClash #17 - the SUNS handed their first taste of the local rivalry to Charlie Ballard, who had joined the club in 2018, and Sam Collins, who was picked up after being cut by Fremantle in 2017 and spending 2018 with Box Hill in the VFL. It was an injustice that the pair wouldn’t taste a QClash win until 2023, but their value has been unquestionable.

Fifteen weeks later in QClash #18 Ben King played his first game against the ‘enemy’ as local boy Caleb Graham made his AFL debut. It was a tough introduction as the SUNS copped a 91-point loss and a disappointing way for Witts to make his 100th AFL game.

King has now played 10 QClashes and is working his way up the goal-kicking list. With 22 majors, including a best of five for two medal votes in 2023, he trails only Charlie Cameron (35) and Tom Lynch (27), and is equal with Eric Hipwood (22).

QClash #19 was one with a difference – a technically the club’s first taste of football in September. It was Round 16 in a 2020 season delayed by a long Covid layoff and played with strict crowd restrictions. So, it’s in the history books for the lowest QClash crowd of 11,292. Still, despite a 41-point loss, it was a memorable day as Noah Anderson, Sam Flanders, Wil Powell and Connor Budarick played their first QClash.

Anderson has now played 11 QClashes. He had 30-plus in both games against Brisbane in 2022, picking up one medal vote in QClash #23, 29 possessions and a goal in his first QClash win at PFS in 2023, and a masterful 33 possessions and a goal in QClash #29 six weeks ago, when the SUNS won by 66 points.

Flanders capped his ‘arrival’ in the AFL with 32 possessions in Q-Clash #23 – his third game of 30-plus in a row that was followed three weeks later by a fourth. After averaging 10.6 possessions a game through his first 30 games from 2020-22 he bumped that to 24.1 possessions in 2023, and 30.9 in 2024, when runner-up in the best & fairest. He’s played nine times in the QClash.

Powell was three years and 33 games into his career before his first QClash outing – the longest wait in club history - but has missed only once since.

Curiously, too, ex-Academy captain Budarick has played only four times in the QClash in his 54-game career. The big win in Round 20 this year, when he was a key figure with 22 possessions and a goal, was his first triumph.

Q-Clash #20 saw Malcolm Rosas Jnr make his AFL debut and Jy Farrar play his first QClash in his sixth game. And in Q-Clash #21, in Round 19 2021 at the Gabba, Matt Rowell enjoyed a belated introduction to the Queensland rivalry after injury had twice cut into the start of his AFL career. It wasn’t a great night for the SUNS, who turned a 27-point halftime lead into a 49-point loss, but it was special for other reasons.  It was Flanders’ 20th birthday and Sexton’s 150th AFL game as Fiorini picked up two medal votes for a career-high and SUNS QClash record 41 possessions. And Jeremy Sharp, in his seventh game, had 31 possessions – a club record for a QClash debutant.

Alex Davies played the first of three QClashes in his 7th game in Round 6 2022, before Mac Andrew and Bailey Humphrey followed in Round 10 2023. Humphrey, in just his seventh game, gave a clue of what was to come in a bullocking performance that produced 26 possessions, including a team-high 11 contested possessions, five clearances and a goal.

In Round 10 2023, Tom Berry, who had played 20 games with Brisbane from 2020-22 without experiencing a QClash, wore red and yellow in Q-Clash #24.

QClash #26 in Round 8 2024 saw six QClash debutants who shape as long-term regulars in the Queensland derby - Ben Long, who was in his second year at the club, and SUNS Academy graduates Ethan Read, Jed Walter, Will Graham, Jake Rogers and Sam Clohesy.

Anderson played his 100th AFL game in QClash #27. It was Round 20 2024 and saw the QClash debut of Bodhi Uwland in his 20th game two days after his 21st birthday, Joel Jeffrey, in his 27th game in his fourth season, plus Ned Moyle and Lloyd Johnston.

It was extra special for Jeffrey who at last had played against the club at the ground where his father Russell, originally a St.Kilda player, had spent the last season of his 50-game AFL career in Brisbane Bears colours.

Boom recruits Daniel Rioli and John Noble, who had vast derby-like experience with Richmond and Collingwood in Melbourne, had their first taste of the QClash in Round 8 this year – their seventh game in red and yellow.

Oscar Adams and Leo Lombard celebrated their first AFL win in QClash 28 in Round 20, when the SUNS won by a thumping 66 points – the club’s biggest QClash win - as Rowell put together one of the most dominant games in club history. He had 37 possessions (23 contested),12 tackles and 15 clearances – all in 79% game time.

Davies, too, had a day out with a career-best 30 possessions (16 contested) and 10 tackles, to confirm his place in the side for the club’s first finals series.

Ben Jepson and Lachie Gulbin, who debuted this year, have not played in a QClash.

SUNS RECORDS IN A QCLASH

Most Possessions: Brayden Fiorini – Gabba, R19 2021
Most Goals: Charlie Dixon – PFS - R5 2015
Highest Score: 22-7 (139) – PFS – R16 2016
Biggest Win: 66 points – PFS – R20 2025

SUNS QCLASH TRIVIA

Oldest SUNS Players in a QClash
Michael Rischitelli – 33 years 214 days
Levi Casboult – 33 years 136 days
Jarrod Witts – 32 years 316 days*
Gary Ablett – 32 years 315 days
David Swallow – 32 years 166 days*

Youngest SUNS Players in a QClash
David Swallow – 18 years 169 days
Tom Lynch – 18 years 188 days
Callum Ah Chee – 18 years 190 days
Kade Kolodjashnij – 18 years 239 days
Sam Day – 18 years 243 days
Jacob Heron – 18 years 251 days
Bailey Humphrey – 18 years 251 days
Jack Lukosius – 18 years 261 days
Timmy Sumner – 18 years 270 days
Will Graham – 18 years 283 days

Oldest SUNS Players on QClash Debut
Levi Casboult – 32 years 130 days
Nick Malceski – 30 years 258 days
Michael Barlow – 30 years 243 days

Who has played for Gold Coast and Brisbane in a QClash?
Callum AhChee, Sam Day, Pearce Hanley, Jarryd Lyons

Which other players have played for Brisbane and Gold Coast?
Jared Brennan, Michael Rischitelli, Andrew Raines, Tom Berry

Which SUNS played 10 or more games for the club without playing in a QClash?
Mitch Hallahan (20), Anthony Miles (17), Jarrad Grant (14), Kyal Horsley (14), Hewago Oea (13), Tom Hickey (12), Jeremy Taylor (10).

Which other SUNS players never played in a QClash?
Taylor Hine (9), Alik Magin (8), Michael Coad (6), Hayden Jolly (6), Andrew McQualter (5), James Tsitas (5), Mackenzie Willis (5), Charlie Constable (4), Corey Ellis (4), Rex Liddy (4), Piers Flanagan (3), Nathan Ablett (2), Joel Tippett (2), Jacob Townsend (2), Marc Lock (1), Leigh Osborne (1), Lachy Gulbin (1), Ben Jepson (1).

AFL Debut in a QClash
Joey Daye, Sam Day, Tom Lynch, Louis Herbert, Josh Glenn, Henry Schade, Jack Bowes, Ben Ainsworth, Josh Corbett, Malcolm Rosas, Elijah Hollands,

SUNS Debut in a QClash
Jarrod Witts, Jarryd Lyons, Rory Atkins, Michael Barlow, Pearce Hanley.

Most SUNS Games to 1st QClash
33 – Wil Powell
27 – Joel Jeffrey
27 – Jack Leslie
20 – Brayden Fiorini
20 – Bodhi Uwland

Brownlow Medal Votes in QClash Debut
3 – Jared Brennan – QC#1 - 2011
3 – Brayden Fiorini – QC#15  - 2018
3 – Peter Wright – QC#12 - 2016
2 – Zac Smith – QC#1 – 2011
1 – Adam Saad – QC#9 - 2015

Most Goals in a QClash Debut
5 – Nathan Krakouer – QC#1 – 2011
5 – Peter Wright – QC#12  - 2016
4 – Levi Casboult – QC#23 - 2022
3 – Alex Sexton – QC#8 - 2014

Most Possessions in a QClash Debut
31 – Jeremy Sharp – QC#21 - 2021
30 – Jared Brennan – QC#1 – 2011
29 – Michael Rischitelli – QC#1 – 2011
27 – Brayden Fiorini – QC#15 - 2018
26 – Bailey Humphrey – QC#24 - 2023
26 – Adam Saad – QC#9 - 2015
26 – John Noble – QC#28 - 2025

3rd Clubs – 3 ‘Derbies’
Jack Hombsch played in his 1st QClash in his sixth game for the Suns in 2019 – but only after he made his AFL debut for GWS against Sydney in the Sydney derby, and played eight times for Port Adelaide against Adelaide in the ‘Showdown’.

Two in Four?
Joey Daye only played four AFL games – but he played twice in the QClash.

QCLASH – KEY STATS (top 10 plus ties)

GAMES
26 – Dayne Zorko (B)
23 – David Swallow (GC)
21 – Ryan Lester (B)
19 – Daniel Rich (B)
18 – Harris Andrews (B)
17 – Touk Miller (GC)
17 – Jarrod Harbrow (GC)
16 – Hugh McCluggage (B)
16 – Darcy Gardiner (B)
16 – Eric Hipwood (B)
16 – Ben Ainsworth (GC)

POSSESSIONS
559 – Dayne Zorko (B)
472 – David Swallow (GC)
408 – Touk Miller (GC)
402 – Hugh McCluggage (B)
395 – Daniel Rich (B)
371 – Tom Rockliff (B)
351 – Pearce Hanley (B/GC)
340 – Lachie Neale (B)
317 – Ryan Lester (B)
316 – Jarrod Harbrow (GC)

GOALS
35 – Charlie Cameron (B)
27 – Tom Lynch (GC)
22 – Eric Hipwood (B)
22 – Ben King (GC)
21 – Dayne Zorko (B)
19 – Joe Daniher (B)
18 – Alex Sexton (GC)
16 – Dan McStay (B)
16 – Ben Ainsworth (GC)
15 – Zac Bailey (B)
15 – Lincoln McCarthy (B)

BROWNLOW MEDAL VOTES
12 – Jarryd Lyons (B/GC)
11 – Lachie Neale (B)
10 – Pearce Hanley (B/GC)
9 – Tom Rockliff (B)
9 – Touk Miller (GC)
9 – Dayne Beams (B)
8 – Dayne Zorko (B)
7 – Brayden Fiorini (GC)
6 – Simon Black (B)
6 – Gary Ablett (GC)

TACKLES
142 – Dayne Zorko (B)
89 – Touk Miller (GC)
87 – David Swallow (GC)
69 – Tom Rockliff (B)
66 – Jarrod Berry (B)
66 – Matthew Rowell (GC)
65 – Jarryd Lyons (B/GC)
63 – Hugh McCluggage (B)
60 – Jarrod Witts (GC)
58 – Daniel Rich (B)
58 – Gary Ablett (GC)

CLEARANCES
85 – David Swallow (GC)
82 – Touk Miller (GC)
75 – Dayne Zorko (B)
70 – Lachie Neale (B)
69 – Jarryd Lyons (B/GC)
66 – Hugh McCluggage (B)
64 – Tom Rockliff (B)
61 – Matt Rowell (GC)
60 – Gary Ablett (GC)
56 – Daniel Rich (B)

GOAL ASSISTS
20 – Hugh McClugggage (B)
16 – Ben Ainsworth (GC)
15 – Dayne Zorko (B)
13 – Jarryd Lyons (B/GC)
12 – Pearce Hanley (B/GC)
11 – Daniel Rich (B)
11 – Tom Lynch (GC)
10 – Callum AhChee (GC/B)
10 – David Swallow (GC)
9 – Tom Rockliff (B)
9 – Charlie Cameron (B)
9 – Cam Rayner (B)
9 – Touk Miller (GC)
9 – Gary Ablett (GC)

ASHCROFT MEDALS
4 – Touk Miller (GC)
3 – Dayne Beams (B)
2 – Gary Ablett (GC)
2 – Jarryd Lyons (B)
2 – Pearce Hanley (B)
2 – Dayne Zorko (B)
2 – Lachie Neale (B)
1 – Jared Brennan (GC)
1 – Simon Black (B)
1 – Tom Rockliff (B)
1 – Jonathan Brown (B)
1 – Matthew Leuenberger (B)
1 – Charlie Dixon (GC)
1 – Tom Lynch (GC)
1 - Mitch Robinson (B)
1 – Charlie Cameron (B)
1 – Zac Bailey (B)
1 – Will Ashcroft (B)