In a thrilling match-up that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Gold Coast SUNS clinched a hard-fought victory in overtime, drawing the 2024 AFL Wheelchair Pathways to Care QClash series level with the Brisbane Lions.
This win stood as a significant milestone for the SUNS, marking their first-ever triumph in a QClash series since the launch of AFL Wheelchair back in 2022, amplifying the magnitude of their achievement.
The initial game saw the Brisbane Lions snatch a narrow victory by a mere point, setting the stage for a showdown of epic proportions in the second game. The match certainly lived up to its expectations, stretching into extra time as both teams battled relentlessly. Throughout the game, the SUNS, guided by the formidable presence of Dan van den Hoek at the center and the leadership of captain-coach Tristan Orchard, maintained a slim lead with a couple of goals at each interval. Particularly shining in the spotlight was Jace Tyler, whose impressive performance culminated in a remarkable 5.1.
On the Lions’ side, Josh Boyle emerged as a dominant figure but struggled with accuracy, concluding his efforts with 3.8. Following the halftime break, the Lions’ captain-coach Michael Dobbie-Bridges, stationed as a defender-mid, and the dynamic key forward Zac Carlson, exerted immense pressure on the SUNS’ defensive line.
As the final buzzer reverberated through the stadium, the SUNS found themselves edging past their rivals by a solitary point, thereby deadlocking the series at one victory apiece. The intensity escalated as the game extended into overtime, with SUNS’ special guest coach, Noah Anderson, present to rally his team to the finish line.
During the extra time period, Brisbane Lions had several opportunities but could only manage 1.4 on the scoreboard. It was the combined efforts of Stephen French and Jace Tyler that soared above the rest, with Tyler’s pivotal goals and the midfield expertise of Van den Hoek and Orchard sealing a dramatic and exhilarating triumph for the Gold Coast SUNS.
Priyam Gera