GOLD COAST Suns defender Nathan Bock declared he wanted to redeem himself for missing the Suns' flogging at the hands of Essendon last week through suspension.

And he did it in the best way possible, controlling the back line and shutting down Lions dangerman Mitch Clark in the Suns' QClash victory over the Brisbane Lions.

“I was obviously disappointed to miss last week's game and I felt sorry for the boys, watching that first quarter in particular,” he said.

“Coming down back, I thought I played my role.

“I wasn't outstanding but I thought I was pretty solid and I don't think Mitch Clark had too big of an influence on the game,” he said.

The former Crow has been involved in plenty of South Australian “Showdowns” during his time at Adelaide, and said he was surprised at the lack of physicality from the Lions in the opening exchanges.

“Before the game I said they are going to come out firing. They have built the game up to big expectations,” he said.

“In saying that, I don't think they came out as physical as I expected them to.”

Bock said that while there wasn't any extra motivation to win the inaugural clash given the verbal barbs directed at teammates Jared Brennan and Michael Rischitelli, it was certainly discussed.

“It was pretty noticeable that they wanted to come out and throw a bit of word around early,” he said.

“In the end we have got the last laugh, which is the best result.”

Bock said he could see some similarities between the “Showdown” and the “QClash”.