Suns plot Lions upset as race for AFLW finals heats up

Gold Coast captain Tara Bohanna says the Suns are determined to play finals this season. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Gold Coast face a make-or-break clash against Queensland rivals Brisbane as they strive for their first AFLW finals appearance since 2020.

With four rounds left for the home-and-away season, the Suns are looking to continue their charge towards the top four with a win over their arch-rival on Saturday at home.

The Suns are fifth on percentage and have the chance to leapfrog fourth-placed Brisbane but know they face a team that has had their measure in recent years.

Their maiden clash ended in a draw and Brisbane has won three of the past four meetings, the most recent Q-Clash last season ending in a 73-point demolition in the Lions' favour.

Suns skipper Tara Bohanna is well aware there's more on the line than just bragging rights.

"With two teams in the one state, it's always been nice to get the one up. There's always going to be a rivalry there because you see each other more than any other team," Bohanna told AAP.

"In the past, there's been some bigger margins but this year, it's going to be a tough contest.

Courtney Hodder
Courtney Hodder says the team is stronger than ever after some off-field indiscretions.

"Finals is a goal for us. We don't shy away from the fact that we want to make finals.

"We're looking into the next few weeks, if we get the majority of these games on our terms then we're absolutely looking at a prospect that is really exciting for the club."

The Lions will be smarting after coming off an upset 5-point loss to Collingwood.

The Brisbane juggernauts will also be looking to recover from last round's shock omission of stars Jade Ellenger and Poppy Bolt for failing to meet club standards.

But Courtney Hodder says the team is stronger than ever after coach Craig Starcevich laid down the law.

"Those girls know they made a mistake, but we're all with them and behind them," she told AAP.

"We live and we learn from that and I think it's definitely brought the team closer from that mistake.

"We're gonna stick together and we're gonna keep pushing and show everyone what we're really made of."

As the race for finals tightens, just four points and percentage separate the fourth-placed Brisbane Lions from 13th-placed Fremantle.

Fresh off their first win of the season, GWS kick off Saturday's Indigenous Round with an interstate trip to take on St Kilda.

Elsewhere on Saturday, eight-placed Geelong take on Fremantle, Sydney play Hawthorn and Richmond tackles Essendon.

North Melbourne are set to continue their rampage to finals on Sunday against Port Adelaide, while Carlton take on historical rivals Collingwood.

The 17th-placed West Coast host Melbourne on Sunday night, with the defending premiers wounded after losing to Adelaide.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store