QClash protagonist Touk Miller is relishing the chance to change the AFL derby's narrative as Gold Coast ride their high into a semi-final against Brisbane.
The Suns, in the club's first finals campaign, and defending premiers Lions will meet at the Gabba on Saturday for a spot in a preliminary final against Collingwood.
Foundation Sun David Swallow kicked the go-ahead point in the final seconds to lift his side over Fremantle in Perth, a day after a battered and bruised Brisbane were humbled by Geelong.
That set up a tantalising finals QClash, a rivalry historically fuelled by Miller and Lions veteran Dayne Zorko.
Two years ago Miller was belatedly slapped with a one-game ban for conduct unbecoming after making contact with Zorko's groin region in a tackle.
He had initially avoided suspension before Zorko's public comments triggered further AFL interrogation.
Their feud began in 2018 when Zorko refused to shake Miller's hand after the Suns workhorse had powered his side to a narrow victory.
They clashed again in a rematch later that year, engaging in a fiery post-game exchange after the Lions emerged victorious.
"It doesn't change; I'm still not a massive fan of them, but in the same breath it's a great contest for Queensland footy, couldn't be any better," Miller said on Tuesday.
"We haven't gone at it for quite some time. That patch over a two, three-year span, I was tagging him (Zorko).
"I'm sure we'll clash at some point to spark some crowd noise. It adds a bit to the rivalry.
"A rivalry brings out the best and I've been here long enough to warrant that every time we get a chance to have a go at them, I'll do my best."
The Lions won nine straight against their Queensland neighbours after the handshake incident before the Suns snapped their drought last year.
Brisbane dominated at the Gabba earlier this season, but in July - entering with just one win from their last 14 encounters - Gold Coast notched their biggest QClash win, thrashing the Lions by 66 points despite missing Miller through injury.
Now it's the Lions needing to cope without Lachie Neale (calf) while Miller's All Australian midfielder partners Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson were immense against the Dockers.
"We'd love nothing more than to get the wood over them," Miller said.
"But some people forget they won the premiership last year.
"People are quick to move on, but we're very aware of what they're capable of, whether Lachie Neale is playing or not playing."
Miller said winning in Perth on the weekend had prepared the Suns to thrive on the big stage and that their recent win over Brisbane was "the blueprint".
"If we'd lost that game it might have been a different story. It's allowed us to prepare really well," he said.
"You don't have to come down off the high - momentum's a great thing. It's about riding it, using it as fuel and belief for going forward."
