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A third-quarter masterclass by Lachie Neale has inspired Brisbane to a 49-point win over Gold Coast in the Queensland AFL derby.
Brisbane midfielder Mitch Robinson was declared best on ground but Lions' recruit Lachie Neale provided the spark to secure a 49-point AFL win over Gold Coast.
In a scrappy affair at Metricon Stadium, Neale had a hand in three goals and kicked another as the Lions kicked away from the Suns in the third term on their way to a 16.15 (111) to 9.8 (62) victory.
The ex-Fremantle midfielder's class elevated a game that had to that point been marked by sloppy handballs and missed set-shots.
The Suns weathered an early barrage by the Lions to be just six points behind at halftime on Saturday, with Alex Sexton wiping out that deficit early in the third term.
Neale, who won three Ross Glendinning Medals as the best on ground in a Western Derby during his time with the Dockers, set up Charlie Cameron and Robinson during a three-goal burst inside two minutes which blew the game open.
He then kicked one of his own on the run as the Lions opened up a 31-point margin at three-quarter time.
While Robinson's three goals, 25 disposals and three clearances earned him the Marcus Ashcroft Medal, Lions coach Chris Fagan said Neale's impact had been crucial.
"He set the game alight," Fagan said.
"That's the type of player he is, he prides himself on lifting in the big moments.
"I don't know whether he knew that was the big moment but it was in the game. It was pretty much the turning point."
The victory lifts Brisbane back into the top eight with a 4-2 record.
It also boosts spirits after demoralising defeats to Essendon and Collingwood in recent weeks.
Ex-Sun Jarryd Lyons booted two goals against his old team and had 28 disposals and seven clearances while Cam Rayner kicked three important goals.
Charlie Cameron got some much-needed confidence in front of goal with two majors while Lincoln McCarthy also booted two in the final term.
"It was a relief for everybody at the club to get back on the winner's list," Fagan said.
"As a coach you always worry how much confidence that can rob out of a young group but I thought today that we responded in the manner that you would hope."
The Suns have now slumped to a 3-3 record after back-to-back defeats and face a tough road trip next weekend to face premiers West Coast in Perth.
In-form Brayden Fiorini was the Suns' best with 31 disposals while Ben Ainsworth also enjoyed a strong performance.
There was another double for leading goalscorer Sexton while debutant Josh Corbett and tall Peter Wright also picked up two goals.
Suns coach Stuart Dew didn't mince words when it came to his assessment of the performance.
"We're really disappointed with our level of competing," he said.
