The Gold Coast SUNS Wheelchair team have secured the 2026 QClash series with a strong 39-point win over the Brisbane Lions at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The SUNS backed up their 27-point Game 1 win in Brisbane with an 11.9 (75) to 5.6 (36) victory on home court to claim their first QClash series since 2024.
There was no love lost between the two sides from the opening ball-up.
Defensive pressure was high, chairs collided and there was plenty of chirping between the two teams.
The SUNS settled quickest, with Paul Letters scoring two quick goals to help Gold Coast take a 22-2 lead into quarter time.
Despite the strong start, the message from Coach Emily Otto at the first break was to keep composed, keep their heads and use their options by hand.
The Lions came out fired up in the second quarter and matched the SUNS with 14 points for the term as the game went goal for goal.
Adele Van den Hoek converted following a 50-metre penalty, while Byron Harrison came up with a big defensive effort in the final seconds of the quarter to stop Brisbane from adding another goal.
The SUNS came out firing after half-time.
Joel Fernandes scored a goal inside the opening 15 seconds of the third quarter before Letters quickly followed.
Gold Coast started to run away with it from there, adding 20 points to Brisbane's six to take a 56-22 lead into the final quarter.
There was plenty of voice and communication across the court, with captain David McCormick leading the way.
The physicality didn't let up, with two wheelchair tyres bursting during the game, one belonging to Dan Van den Hoek and another to Brisbane Lions player Joshua Boyle.
Assistant Coach Zane Jackson had a front-row seat to the intensity of the contest.
“Nothing was taken lightly,” he said.
Jackson said it was some of the most “bash and crash” he had seen from the sidelines.
“I’ve never had to help so many people up from falls.”
That included players from both sides, with the rivalry put aside when someone needed a hand getting back up.
Fernandes led the scoring with six goals, Letters finished with four and Adele Van den Hoek added one.
During the trophy presentation, Coach Emily Otto praised the entire team’s effort
“They’ve absolutely blown me away. They’ve gone from strength to strength,” Otto said.
“There were no passengers. Everyone had their moment out there.”
McCormick was named Player of the Series after leading the SUNS through the successful two-game campaign.
The series win also puts the SUNS in a strong position ahead of Queensland selection for the AFL Open in Melbourne in October.
