The QClash will get its first instalment of the season this weekend as the Suns host the Lions from Metricon on Saturday afternoon. As always, PuntingInDanger has his full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
AFL Gold Coast vs Brisbane Betting Tips
Metricon Stadium, Saturday 15th May 4.35pm (AEST)
The Lions will be hunting their fifth straight win in the 2021 season and their fifth straight in the QClash this Saturday. Can the Suns cause an upset or will the Brisbane train roll on?
Match Prediction
After a rough start to the season which saw them lose three of their first four games, the Lions have bounced back with four straight wins over the Bombers, Blues, Power and Dockers. Outside of the win over the Power, which came at the Gabba, they haven’t exactly been beating the best in the competition and the real test for the Lions will come after this week when they face Richmond, Melbourne and Geelong within the next five weeks.
The Suns have been extremely competitive this year but have just a 3-5 record through eight games. They led for the majority of the fourth quarter against the Saints on the weekend but couldn’t hold on, going down by eight points in a low scoring game. The Suns will no doubt be buoyed by the continued development of some of their young stars and the fantastic season from star midfielder Touk Miller, who currently sits in third place in the AFLCA Player of the Year.
The Suns still have a lengthy injury list, but I guess the one positive in their list of casualities is that the majority of them are long term, so they have been able to settle into a squad and form some continuity without a host of players coming in and out every week. Witts, Thompson, Rowell, Day, Holman and Budarick remain on the sidelines this week along with the aforementioned Miller, who was suspended in the Saints game.
Lachie Neale will still be out for the Lions along with Cam Rayner, Noah Answerth and Jarrod Berry while Ely Smith and Cam Ellis-Yolemen will return through the VFL match this week.
Hard to see the Lions losing this one with the way they are playing at the moment. The question is, will they cover the 20.5 point line? The Lions have made a habit of running up the score in their current winning streak, maintaining an average margin of 37 points across those four games. No rain is forecast in the Gold Coast on Saturday, which should help the pace that Brisbane like to play at. Back them to cover the 20.5 point line.
Lions -20.5 (1.5 Units)
$1.90
Suns Prop
Youngster Josh Corbett has been in brilliant goal-kicking form since coming into the Suns side in Round 5. In his four games, he has booted 10 goals and his game against the Lions last season was his only multiple goal performance of the year. Back him to kick 2+ on the weekend.
Lions Prop
Hugh McCluggage has been in brilliant form of late, particularly since Lachie Neale came out of the side though injury. He currently sits in first place in the AFLCA Player of the Year award and is one of the favourites for the Brownlow Medal. A win in the Marcus Ashcroft Medal is on the cards Saturday.
