GOLD Coast was at its exciting and free-flowing best on Saturday night in a comfortable 17.11 (113) to 11.10 (76) win over Hawthorn at the SCG.
The hastily-changed venue was no problem for the Suns who appeared right at home in the 37-point victory.
Izak Rankine and Ben King dominated the forward line with four goals each, Rankine’s form in particular sure to please Stuart Dew after his gun small forward found himself under the pump for a lacklustre start to the season.
It looked like the night was going to be all one-way traffic after Gold Coast slotted the opening four goals of the match in quick time, but the Hawks steadied and clawed back to within eight points at the first break.
However, that was where the resistance ended.
The Suns took a 28-point lead into half-time and stretched the lead as the game went on, coasting to their highest score this year.
Noah Anderson was subbed out late in the match with an ankle injury after initially returning to the field.
The few highlights on a lowlight kind of evening from the Hawks came through a pair of youngsters, with Ned Reeves and Damon Greaves both enjoying a special moment surrounded by teammates when they each booted their first career goal.
A proud man would be proud
Sir Doug Nicholls Round means a lot to the entire football community, but it goes straight to the heart of Indigenous players across the league. Izak Rankine had been under the microscope after an opening to 2021 that fell short of many pundits’ expectations, but he dug deep on Saturday night and reminded fans why he’s considered an elite talent. Chad Wingard played one of his best games for the year, and veteran Shaun Burgoyne also relished his return on this most relevant of rounds. It’s always good to be reminded of what Australia’s First People bring to Australia’s first game and, thankfully, we get to do it all again next week. Sir Doug would be proud.
September dreaming too far away?
It was a win against the team currently sitting second-last on the ladder and only shuffled them up a rung or two, but when the Suns are on song it’s hard to think they aren’t a chance to break their finals duck. The ability has always been there, held back by chronic inconsistency, yet every game under the belt of this young list puts them a step closer to September and while no one will be talking up Spring footy just yet, Stuart Dew knows he’s got the raw talent to threaten all comers. Matt Rowell’s much-anticipated return may yet make post-bye challengers a little nervous.
GOLD COAST 4.5 10.8 13.10 17.11 (113)
HAWTHORN 3.2 6.4 8.5 11.10 (76)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Rankine 4, King 4, Sexton 3, Burgess, Holman, Lukosius, Miller, Weller, Ellis
Hawthorn: McEvoy 2, Lewis 2, Moore 2, Phillips, Reeves, Worpel, Breust, Greaves
BEST
Gold Coast: Lukosius, Miller, Rankine, Ellis, Markov, King
Hawthorn: Wingard, McEvoy, Scrimshaw, Burgoyne
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Noah Anderson (ankle)
Hawthorn: TBC
MEDICAL SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Josh Corbett (replaced Noah Anderson)
Hawthorn: Harry Morrison (unused)
