AAMI Practice Match Review: Brisbane vs Gold Coast — SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways

Two hundred and twenty-seven combined points and half the QClash debutants looked like they belonged. This is why you watch practice matches.

Brisbane held off Gold Coast 19.12 (126) to 15.11 (101) at Springfield in a game that was chaos on the scoreboard but loaded with signals underneath. Petracca's first competitive run as a Sun, Coleman's return from back-to-back ACLs, Logan Morris muscling his way into the forward conversation — there was something to track in every line of the team sheet.

The Match in 60 Seconds

Noah Anderson kicked the game's first goal inside 60 seconds, setting the tone for a fast, open contest. Christian Petracca was explosive early — breaking tackles at will in his first competitive game as a Sun. Jed Walter teased with strong marks and a long-range bomb.

But Brisbane's depth proved the difference. Lachie Neale (31 disposals, 10 clearances) ran the game, Logan Morris dominated the forward battle against Mac Andrew (who gave away two 50m penalties for back chat), and the returning Keidean Coleman looked like he'd never been away.

Hugh McCluggage kicked a brilliant goal but didn't play the second half after corking his calf. Lincoln McCarthy proved his fitness with two goals after back-to-back ACL tears. Leo Lombard capped off the Suns' night with a boundary-line special in the dying seconds.

Three Players to Watch for Round 1

1. Christian Petracca (MID) — Gold Coast

The numbers: 24 disposals, 9 clearances. Explosive in the first quarter.

The Petracca to Gold Coast narrative has been dissected endlessly, but this game answered the only question that matters: he's fit, he's motivated, and he's still elite at the contest. Nine clearances is a dominant performance, and his ability to break tackles and burst clear of stoppages hasn't diminished.

At whatever Gold Coast paid for him, the SuperCoach price is more important — and if it's anywhere near his Melbourne peak (115+ average), he's a must-have. Even if he averages 100, the clearance role guarantees a high floor.

Verdict: Top-5 MID if healthy. The minutes were managed (he was rested later), which is smart pre-season handling.

2. Keidean Coleman (MID/DEF) — Brisbane

The numbers: Prolific and incisive through the middle. First competitive game since early 2024.

Coleman played just one AFL game in 2025 after tearing his ACL in the first game of the 2024 season. Two years, two knee reconstructions. And he looked like he'd barely missed a beat.

Brisbane used him through the midfield — a significant role signal given their depth in that area. At his injury-deflated price, Coleman is a genuine value play if he holds a spot. The Lions' midfield depth (Neale, McCluggage, Bailey, Ah Chee) makes job security the key question.

Verdict: High value if he plays. ACL-deflated price + midfield role = profit potential. But job security needs monitoring.

3. Logan Morris (FWD) — Brisbane

The numbers: 4 goals. Dominated Mac Andrew inside 50.

Morris is emerging as Brisbane's key forward of the future, and four goals against a Gold Coast defence is a nice way to press your case. His battle with Andrew was one-sided — Morris used his body well and took his chances cleanly.

As a SuperCoach option, Morris is capped by the key forward ceiling (high variance, supply dependent). But at a premiership club with an elite midfield generating supply, his floor should be higher than most young key forwards.

Verdict: Cheap FWD with genuine upside. Brisbane's supply line makes him safer than most key forwards at his price.

Other SuperCoach Notes

• Lachie Neale (MID): 31 disposals, 10 clearances. The old warhorse still has it. Premium MID who's now in "underpriced because he's old" territory.
• Zac Bailey (MID): 25 disposals, 2 goals. Typical Bailey — consistent and damaging.
• Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (FWD, Gold Coast): 2 goals and some exciting moments, but couldn't stick his marking attempts. The talent is still raw but Gold Coast's patience could unlock something special.
• Jed Walter (FWD, Gold Coast): 2 goals, 5 marks. Two strong first-quarter marks showed his ceiling. Faded in the second half.
• Leo Lombard (Gold Coast): 3 goals including a spectacular boundary-line effort. The dynamo continues to excite.
• Lincoln McCarthy (Brisbane): 2 goals returning from back-to-back ACLs. Showed versatility at half-back before pushing forward.
• Ty Gallop (Brisbane): 2 goals as an emerging forward. Waged war with Sam Collins.
• Cody Curtin (Brisbane RUC): The teenage ruckman bounced back from a mid-air collision to produce a brilliant chase-down tackle. One for the future.
• Mac Andrew (Gold Coast): Rough day. Two 50m penalties for back chat doesn't scream maturity. Needs to keep his cool.

Injury Watch

| Player | Club | Issue | R1 Impact | |--------|------|-------|-----------| | Hugh McCluggage | Brisbane | Calf cork | Monitor — didn't play 2nd half | | Oscar Allen | Brisbane | Concussion | Missed — concussion protocols | | Ryan Lester | Brisbane | Concussion | Missed — concussion protocols |

The Bottom Line

The established names did what established names do. But the real story here is underneath the headline acts. Coleman coming back from two knee recos and looking like he'd barely missed a step? That's a SuperCoach value play hiding in plain sight. Morris winning his one-on-one battle against Andrew? That's a kid earning his spot the hard way.

And Petracca — well, nine clearances in a new jumper says everything you need to know about the talent. The rest is just a health bet.

-AG

The AAMI Community Series wraps up the 2026 pre-season. Round 1 kicks off Thursday, March 5. For the full pre-season landscape, check our complete AAMI Series wrap and the Rookie Power Rankings Traffic Light Guide.