Clark was just too big, too strong and too agile for a string of Bomber opponents, dominating the aerial duels and booting six goals in the 58-point victory.
The final margin belied the pressure which Redland placed the Lions under, with the Bombers trailing by just 14 points at the final change and hopeful of a massive upset.
But they had tackled themselves to a standstill and couldn’t keep up with the talent-laden Lions in the final term, conceding 6.8 to 0.0 in the final 30 minutes and losing 19.19 (133)-11.9 (75).
Clark looked threatening every time the ball went forward, despite Redland getting plenty of numbers back. He finished with 6.6 and two out of bounds from 14 shots at goal, which will have the Lions’ selectors thinking strongly about including him in the seniors next week.
The Lions fielded 16 listed players yesterday, 11 more than when they lost to Redland in June last year - the Bombers’ last success dating back 13 games.
Yesterday was a great education for the likes of Sunshine Coast teenagers Ben Weightman and Kane Tyson. Weightman zipped in an out of the play and did some nice things early, despite being dwarfed by the huge frames of Clark and Matthew Leuenberger.
Former Box Hill (VFL) player Phil Carse continued his outstanding season for Redland, providing his side with plenty of drive and being the architect of a five-goal-to-three third term.
But the Lions had too many players with run in their legs, with Ben Fixter and Chris Schmidt (30 possessions) picking up most of the midfield slack.
Albert Proud and Joel Macdonald were particularly good early before fading in the latter stages. But they had plenty of teammates run riot by that stage.
Former Sunshine Coast product Daniel Dzufer played one of his best games of the season for the Lions, who now sit level on wins with Broadbeach and Labrador and are just one game out of second place.
Suncoast face the biggest test to their winning streak this Saturday when they meet the unbeaten Mt Gravatt at Coorparoo.
With former Lions Darryl White and Shane Morrison playing starring roles for them, Mt Gravatt disposed of a dogged Labrador by 40 points at Cooke-Murphy Oval on Saturday.
Former Perth teenager Grae Grant booted five goals to take his season tally to 29 from five matches.
Broadbeach have relished the return of key forward Korey Fulton from an extended overseas trip, posting their highest tally of the year - 24.11 - to run away from Zillmere in the dying stages of their clash at Merrimac.
Ex-Caloundra junior Austin Lucy continued to excel as a key forward with another three goals for Zillmere, but last year’s grand finalists were swamped by 57 points by Broadbeach after trailing by just 20 points with seven minutes remaining.
Morningside hurdled Southport into second place on the strength of a seven-point win at Esplen Oval yesterday, big forward Kent Abey the difference between the sides.
Scores:
Suncoast Lions, 6.2, 10.7, 13.11, 19.19 (133)
Redland, 4.2, 6.6, 11.9, 11.9 (75)
Goals, Suncoast: M Clark 6, R Hooper 3, W Hamill 2, M Leuenberger 2, B Weightman, J Hawksley, C Schmidt, J McDonald, C Wood, M Peterson 1. Redland: Michael Thompson 4, C Millar 2, A Hickey, A Mueller, T Rudolph, H Anderson, C Brown 1.
Best, Suncoast: M Clark, B Fixter, C Schmidt, D Dzufer, C Wood, W Mills. Redland: P Carse, D Passfield, M Bray, Mick Thompson, Matt Thompson, S Buckle.
