Brisbane veteran Simon Black may rethink his tactic of sledging the opposition in the lead-up to a match after Gold Coast utility Jared Brennan put on an AFL clinic in the Suns' upset victory at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Brennan, branded a mercenary by Black for leaving Brisbane to join the fledgling Suns, let his performance do the talking in a stunning 18.16 (124) to 17.14 (116) victory.

Whether it was in the air, on the ground or in front of goal, Brennan would not be denied, putting in his best effort in recent memory to be instrumental in the Suns' inspiring eight point win.

At game's end, Brennan had 30 disposals and was awarded the first Marcus Ashcroft medal for best afield in a Suns-Lions clash as the Gold Coast confounded the critics and nabbed a second win early in their debut season.

The spring-heeled utility has always had the potential to tear a game open although he has a tendency to fade in and out of a game, rarely putting in a solid four quarters.

Yet on Saturday night, he delivered in every term despite being forced to leave the field during the third quarter with a possible wrist injury.

The injury was enough for Brennan to retreat to the change rooms for treatment.

When he returned later in the quarter he took little time getting into the action, grabbing a huge hanger that will feature in highlights reels for the week.

Brennan started in attack yet some of his best work in the first half was across half back when he floated into defence to add some aerial back-up.

Even though Black targeted Brenna in the media, and also 2010 Lions club champion Michael Rischitelli who also defected to the Suns, there were very few physical incidents involving the former Lions.

Rischitelli and Lions vice-captain Jed Adcock Brennan had a short-lived heated moment in the first half while Jack Redden poleaxed Brennan with a fair bump early in the fourth quarter which stunned the Suns swingman.

Brennan sluggishly lifted himself off the turf and back into the fray as the Suns withstood a stirring Lions fightback to score a gutsy win.

Not surprisingly, the former Lion was met with jeers from the Brisbane contingent in the crowd when he was called up to receive the best afield medal.

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