The Lions rallied from nine points down in the final term to pip the Suns 10.18 (78) to 11.8 (74) and overturn a five-point QClash loss earlier this season in another fiery contest on Saturday night.

The lead fluctuated in a sloppy second half as the young Suns, led by Alex Sexton (four goals), Jack Bowes (19 disposals, three clearances) and Brayden Fiorini (32 disposals) threatened a boilover.

But Brisbane withstood the pressure and did enough in the final 20 minutes to consign the Suns to a seventh loss and winless campaign at Metricon Stadium this season.

The derby fire was sparked on Thursday when Brisbane defender Nick Robertson said the Suns were soft.

And, after a bit of general niggle, that fire erupted in the second term when Sean Lemmens' collected young Lion Brandon Starcevich with a high spoil.

Players came from all corners in front of 11,907 fans, with Dayne Zorko sent flying in the chaos by his chief antagonist Touk Miller.

While endorsing that one-on-one battle Lions coach Chris Fagan apologised for Robertson's comments post-game, saying they had poured "cold water" on the win.

"It's not what we think about them and not what Nick think's about them either," he said.

"I know it added a little bit of spice to the game from an observer's point of view but that's not the way we want to conduct our business."

But after five losses by seven points or less this season, Fagan was happy enough to celebrate a tight win.

"It was good in a sense to grind away and win a game; we did get a goal-and-a-half behind and it didn't look good and the boys found something," he said.

The Suns had edged back into the contest prior to the incident, helped by the first-quarter exit of Lions defender Alex Witherden (hamstring).

Brisbane's inaccuracy cost them, with Eric Hipwood missing his first five shots at goal and Daniel Rich missing from in front before the Suns hit the lead for the first time in the third term.

Both sides took turns in front in the final quarter before the Lions made the most of their luck to land the final blow.

First Allen Christensen kicked straight after being gifted a 50m penalty before a stray kick off the deck went straight to an unmarked Dayne Beams (38 touches) for what would be the decisive goal.

Suns coach Stuart Dew said he hadn't used the sledge as motivation but was happy with his side's intent.

"I think both sides will look back and see they had chances," he said.

Australian Associated Press