GOLD Coast's 26-point QClash victory could come at a high cost, with skipper Gary Ablett taken from the field in the final term clutching his left shoulder.

Ablett was attempting to tackle Brisbane Lion Mitch Robinson but came up grimacing and was escorted by a Suns trainer in obvious pain.

The extent of the injury is still unknown, but it's the same shoulder the Suns champion had reconstructed in 2014.

He will be sent for scans on Monday.

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It wasn't the only mishap for Gold Coast in its 22.7 (139) to 17.11 (113) victory, with leader Michael Rischitelli suffering a serious knee injury – expected to be an ACL - inside the first three minutes and not returning.

Injury carnage aside, the Suns didn't have it all their own way, coughing up a 51-point third quarter lead, watching the Lions get within 18 points before steadying in the final quarter.

Coach Rodney Eade said despite feeling like he'd been hit again with the injury stick, there were positives to take from the performance, particularly the first-half pressure.

"When we dropped that off, that actually got them back in the game because we kicked it poorly and we didn't defend turnovers," Eade said.

"I think with two down we arrested it a bit in the last quarter, they got a couple of easy ones they shouldn't have but I think we did OK in the last quarter."

It was their second win in succession and the Lions' 11th straight loss.

Twin towers Tom Lynch and Peter Wright were devastating in the Suns' forward 50, kicking 10 goals between them.

Lynch was again a colossus, kicking five goals, while Peter Wright backed up his Rising Star nomination with 20 disposals, 12 marks and five goals of his own.

Jack Martin (29 disposals and nine marks) oozed class at half-back, and Touk Miller (27 and 11 tackles) deservedly won the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for best afield.

GAMEBREAKER: Martin's dashing display

The Lions had plenty to be optimistic about, particularly their young forward line that started clicking in the second half.

Eric Hipwood kicked four goals in his third game, Harris Andrews was swung forward and added two while fourth-gamer Rhys Mathieson was arguably the team's best player with 24 disposals.

"We made a few too many errors really," coach Justin Leppitsch said.

"First half we couldn't lock it in our front half again and they took it from one end to the other, so it was poor defensively.

"There is spirit in our club and in our group, irrespective of what the wins and losses say and I think they're the things that prove to the world that there is persistence."

The 12th edition of Queensland's rivalry simmered on occasions, but never boiled over like the season's earlier version.

A first-quarter collision at full speed between Nick Malceski and Daniel Rich brought Lions players rushing in to remonstrate, but it was nothing more than a hard contest between two players with eyes only for the footy.

Five talking points: Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions

Rich was taken to the dressing rooms, as was fullback Daniel Merrett (corked calf) soon after, but both returned to the field to play out the game.

Steven May – the round four villain for his vicious bump on Stefan Martin – shook hands with Josh Schache before the first bounce and stayed out of trouble all night.

 

MEDICAL ROOM
Gold Coast: Rischitelli's injury is likely the worst possible news, with the Suns fearing the veteran has ruptured his ACL. Ablett, like Rischitelli, will need scans on Monday to assess the extent of his shoulder problem.

Brisbane Lions: There was a host of niggles for the Lions but nothing significant as Darcy Gardiner (ankle), Daniel Merrett (calf) and Daniel Rich (head) all received knocks during the game. Rich was shaken after his first-quarter bump and was shifted to the forward line, but played out the game.

NEXT UP
Gold Coast will try and make it three successive wins when they travel to Cairns next Saturday to play the Western Bulldogs. The Dogs have won both games in North Queensland the past two years and will face a Suns team minus many of their injured midfielders. The Lions have a difficult task ahead trying to snap their 11-game losing streak, hosting Greater Western Sydney at the Gabba on Sunday afternoon.

 Daniel Merrett's face tells the story of the Lions' year. Picture: AFL Media

GOLD COAST           6.2   12.4    17.4     22.7   (139)
BRISBANE LIONS    2.4     6.6    12.10   17.11   (113)           

GOALS
Gold Coast: Wright 5, Lynch 5, Matera 3, Davis 2, Ah Chee 2, Sexton 2, Ablett, Miller, Garlett
Brisbane Lions: Hipwood 4, McStay 2, Jansen 2, Andrews 2, Rich 2, Bewick, Green, Zorko, Schache, Lester 

BEST 
Gold Coast: Miller, Martin, Lynch, Wright, Prestia, Harbrow
Brisbane Lions: Mathieson, Mayes, Hipwood, Rockliff 

INJURIES 
Gold Coast: Rischitelli (knee), Ablett (shoulder)
Brisbane Lions: Gardiner (ankle) 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Harris, Ryan, Wallace

Official crowd: 13,528 at Metricon Stadium