Lions and Bombers on the Sunshine Coast
www.aflq.com.au
28th May

Brisbane Lions star Beau McDonald (pictured) is likely to make his comeback match for the club on the Sunshine Coast this weekend, when the Lions take on the Redland Bombers at Northshore AFC at Mudjimba in the AFL Queensland State League.

McDonald, other Lions stars and various local Sunshine Coast players will all be among those involved in Sunday's showcase Round Seven clash between the sides, both currently sitting in the top three.

"Big Beau" has been hampered with ankle problems for the past seven weeks.

Local Sunshine Coast players will also be included on the Lions' list, the names of which will be confirmed later in the week.

A huge day of activities is planned around the game, which marks the first time the Brisbane Lions have played on the Sunshine Coast in recent years.

AFL Queensland State League Manager, David Heilbron, said that the Sunshine Coast was chosen for the blue ribbon clash to give the code further exposure in a region that is already burgeoning in AFL interest and participation.

"For the last three years, we've scheduled a Brisbane Lions match in Toowoomba. This year, we thought it was time to take the AFL Queensland State League back to the Sunshine Coast."

Last year's AFL Queensland Premiers, the Lions are currently sitting second on the ladder, with the Bombers third.

Other likely big-name Lions players to make the trip up the coast will be Damien Cupido, Craig Bolton, Shane Morrision and the competition's leading goal kicker, Darren Bradshaw. AFL Queensland's 2001 Grogan Medallist Paul O'Brien, who is currently running second to Bradshaw in the goal kicking department will also be on show for the Bombers.

"It should be a fantastic match," Heilbron said. "Both teams are in great form and the Lions should have some of their quality players back from the seniors."

Junior matches will be played all morning at Northshore, with Under 8s at 8.30am right through to the Under 18s' local derby curtain raiser between the Noosa Tigers and the Suncoast Lions.

Both teams are currently in the top four of the AFL Queensland Under 18 competition.

Brisbane Lions vs Redland Bombers
* 2.00pm
* Sunday 2 June
* Northshore AFL, Mudjimba Beach Drive, Mudjimba
* Curtain raiser - 11.30pm, Under 18s Noosa Tigers vs Suncoast Lions