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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Andrew Stafford at the Gabba

Brisbane crush Gold Coast to remain king of Queensland and book AFL preliminary final spot

Logan Morris and the Brisbane Lions celebrate
Logan Morris and the Brisbane Lions celebrate as they defeat Gold Coast Suns by 53 points in the 2025 AFL semi-final at the Gabba. Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It was billed as the biggest game in Queensland ever: reigning AFL premiers Brisbane against their state rivals from down the M1. The long-derided Gold Coast had finally arrived as a force, winning an elimination final in an ecstatic finish over Fremantle, via a last-gasp point to retiring club great David Swallow.

For a short time, the semi-final looked like it might live up to its billing. And then it fell apart. The Suns barely fired a shot after half-time, overpowered by a manic Lions side desperate to atone after being humiliated by Geelong in Melbourne last week. Brisbane now face Collingwood in a preliminary final at the MCG on Saturday. Gold Coast are done.

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