Talking points

u Six goals to Joe Daniher last week in a sublime performance. Has he unlocked the consistency locker?

u Real selection pressure at Gold Coast with Ben Ainsworth and Nick Holman ready to return. It hasn’t always been the case.

u Some brilliant emerging talent will be showcased here –Will Ashcroft for the Lions and Bailey Humphrey for the Suns.

u With every passing week, Ben King is becoming the key figure of the Gold Coast forward line. Harris Andrews or the rapidly improving Jack Payne will get the match-up.

u Tough trip to Adelaide to follow for the Lions before their bye, so they need to take care of business here.

ASHLEY BROWNE

Prediction: Brisbane Lions by 16 points

Latest News Grand Final Start Time

u One of the game’s time-honoured traditions will remain intact with the 2023 Grand Final set to start at 2.30pm at the MCG on Saturday, September 30. Incoming chief executive Andrew Dillon is a strong supporter of daytime Grand Finals, but in making the announcement this week, the League noted the “great presentation of a twilight event” and said that future start times would be reviewed.

PIES’ FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

u Ladder-leading Collingwood is the new star attraction of the AFL following the release of the rounds 16-23 fixtures. The Magpies will feature in four Friday night blockbusters, taking on the Western Bulldogs (round 17), Carlton (round 20), the Geelong Cats (round 22) and the Brisbane Lions (round 23). The fixture for round 24, will be announced one month before. See fixture page 52.

Most goals in a game: 6, Ashley McGrath, round 7, 2011, at the Gabba; Charlie Cameron, round 21, 2019, at the Gabba; Zac Bailey, round 6, 2022, at the Gabba.

Gold Coast Suns

Away record: 2-10

Home record: 4-7

Highest score: 22.7 (139), round 16, 2016, at Metricon Stadium.

Lowest score: 6.7 (43), round 16, 2020, at the Gabba.

Greatest winning margin: 64 points, round 5, 2015, at Metricon Stadium. Longest winning sequence: 2, round 5, 2015, to round 19, 2015.

Most goals in a game: 6, Charlie Dixon, round 5, 2015, at Metricon Stadium.

Clarkson Steps Away

u North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has stepped away from the club indefinitely as he continues to deal with the fall-out of an investigation into alleged mistreatment of First Nations players in his time at Hawthorn, allegations he strongly refutes. The club said Clarkson will have “whatever time he needs to restore his health”. Brett Ratten becomes interim senior coach.