In a tweet

 

The Rundown

For Hawthorn fans, this Round 3 match-up was anticipated as the game their beloved Hawks would rebound from a winless opening fortnight to 2017, and return to their winning ways.

But as it happened, the result would cause the Hawks to fall to their first 0-3 record since Alastair Clarkson's first season in charge in 2005, putting them last on the ladder.

While for the Suns, they created their own history, not only marking their first win of the season, but also their first ever win over the Hawks and their largest winning margin posted in club history.

 

The Star

After enduring a week of enormous scrutiny, Sun champion Gary Ablett let his football do the talking as he led the way for the determined Gold Coast outfit.

It would go down as a famous game for Ablett, as he picked up 36 possessions, 10 clearances, eight inside 50s, four tackles and two goals. 

Ablett was also supported by his new-look midfield teammates with former Docker Michael Barlow, former Crow Jarryd Lyons and David Swallow, playing just his second game after a 20-month absence, all picking up at least 30 disposals.

Read: Match preview R12

The Moment

As the game inched towards half-time, Hawthorn went inside 50, going long to the top of the goal square in the direction of skipper Jarryd Roughead.

Roughead was unable to take the mark and the ball spilled free. Suns backman Adam Saad scooped up the loose ball and did what he does best, tucking the ball under his arm and putting the jets on. 

Hawks speedster Paul Puopolo was in hot pursuit but Saad had the upper hand in this foot race as he took four bounces down the Metricon Stadium wing in a forward foray that ended up in the hands of Suns captain Tom Lynch inside their forward 50.

With the game still within Hawthorn’s grasp at this stage, as the Suns held a 22-point advantage, this moment illustrated the Suns’ superior willingness to work hard that night as the Hawks were left chasing their tail for the remainder of the night.

 

The Coach

"We played against a side that were just a bit hungrier and more desperate than we were tonight and that was evident around the ball."- Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

 

GOLD COAST    3.3    7.8    17.10    21.13   (139)                  
HAWTHORN       2.3    3.6    6.10       7.11     (53)           

GOALS
Gold Coast: Matera 6, Martin 3, Hall 2, Fiorini 2, Lynch 2, Miller 2, Ablett 2, Harbrow, Lemmens
Hawthorn: Roughead 3, Puopolo, Rioli, O'Meara, Burton 

BEST
Gold Coast: Swallow, Martin, Ablett, Witts, Harbrow, Matera
Hawthorn: Henderson, Hodge, Mitchell, Shiels 

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Hawthorn: Puopolo (hamstring) 

Reports: Lyons (GC) reported in the first quarter for striking Shiels (Haw) 

Umpires: McInerney, Findlay, Foot 

Official crowd: 14,728 at Metricon Stadium