The Gold Coast Suns have staved off Essendon to move into the top eight after a thrilling Sunday evening finish at People First Stadium, winning 14.7 (91) to 11.14 (80).
High-flying Essendon couldn’t hand Gold Coast its first home loss of the season, instead seeing its seven-game unbeaten streak snapped.
The Suns have won all of their games this season in friendly confines, either on the Gold Coast or in Darwin, coming in with an average winning margin well over five goals.
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THE 3-2-1… (With Will Faulkner and Jack Jovanovski)
3 – SUNS SIZZLE AS HOME-HAPPY GOLD COAST CONTINUE UNBEATEN RECORD
It was a tight contest at Carrara, but it was Suns who prevailed in a hotly contested game in Queensland.
Gold Coast’s 11-point win importantly shoots them into eighth place on the ladder, and remarkably means they are still yet to lose a game in seven matches on their home turf between People First Stadium and Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
The Suns gained their first lead of the match halfway through the quarter and didn’t look back, proving too much for Essendon and their much-talked about edge.
Mac Andrew was the star of the show for the home side, with his first half in particular setting the tone for the home side in the midst of a slow first quarter.
While his impact in the second half was nullified, his 25 disposals and six marks prevented any of Essendon’s tall forwards from running riot inside 50.
Noah Anderson was prolific on the ball once again for the Suns, as him and defender Sam Flanders racked up 33 disposals each.
“It’s been a real game of ball movement in many respects, lots of goals coming from the back half,” Melbourne Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy said on Fox Footy’s commentary.
“The Bombers were just a bit tougher early in the piece.”
That idea changed as the match went on however, as the Suns turned up the heat to maintain their lead for the rest of the match, with Essendon only getting within a sniff of a victory early in the last quarter – twice drawing level.
With the exception of the tackle count, almost every stat line was even between the two sides, highlighting just how close the contest was.
For the Bombers, their loss means they now sit just half a game clear in second place, and six points off the top placed Sydney – who have already had their second bye for the season.
Zach Merrett, Jordan Ridley and Nick Hind were among the best players for the Bombers, with Ridley in particular playing a crucial part in their early lead over the Suns with plenty of dash off half-back.
“That’s a massive win by the Gold Coast, Damien Hardwick would be extremely proud of their commitment,” Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson said at the full-time siren
2 – WINNING STREAK OF THE ESSENDON EDGE SNAPPEDIt took seven games, but Essendon’s streak without losing a match has finally ended at the hands of Gold Coast.
It was bound to happen eventually, but fans shouldn’t be overly concerned given the Suns’ incredible home record of late – plus how they were genuinely beaten by the better team on the day.
Not since their brutal loss to Port Adelaide in Gather Round have the Bombers lost, – and while it’s certainly by no means a horror loss by any stretch of the imagination, it acts as somewhat of a reality check for a side who for six weeks straight has been walking on air.
Brad Johnson highlighted where he thought the game was lost for Essendon, in what was eventually a cracking game of footy.
“It was just a great game of footy; both teams had a red-hot go, and in the end it was around the centre bounce where Gold Coast were just able to take the advantage,” Johnson said.
Healy agreed, and also highlighted a second area they lapsed in against the strong Suns outfit.
“Ultimately, kicking has cost Essendon – but I think (also) their kicking inside the forward 50 was probably an area they’re going to have to have a bit of a look at,” Healy added.
A virus that swept through the club all week may have played a partial role in their end result, but they should by no means be disheartened when push comes to shove.
Now tasked with beating Carlton next Sunday night in an MCG blockbuster, the Bombers are set to go through a much more difficult few weeks than previously seen this year – and one that will in the end, prove where they truly stand amongst the competition.
1 – ARE HOME-HAPPY SUNS BUILDING A FORTRESS?
The Suns’ sizzling home record this season remains in-tact.
After entering Sunday afternoon 4-0 in games played at People First Stadium in 2024, Damien Hardwick’s brigade was able to handle Essendon’s late push to make it 5-0. Gold Coast is also 2-0 at its second home; Darwin’s TIO Stadium.
To this point, Gold Coast has trumped Richmond, Adelaide, Hawthorn, West Coast and now the Bombers. The Suns beat North Melbourne and Geelong in Darwin.
The Suns’ last loss at People First was when it was still sponsored by Heritage Bank; a four-point defeat to Carlton in Round 23 of last season.
Having moved into eighth position to close out Round 12, it appears Gold Coast is preparing a serious finals charge in Hardwick’s maiden season at the helm.
Gold Coast’s next home fixture is scheduled for Round 16 when it hosts reigning premier Collingwood on June 29, in what shapes as a ladder-shaping blockbuster between two finals hopefuls.
The Suns also have upcoming home clashes scheduled with Port Adelaide (Round 18), Brisbane (Round 20) and Melbourne (Round 23) to close out the home-and-away campaign.
GOLD COAST SUNS vs. ESSENDON — AS IT HAPPENED
The submission of final teams has seen the Bombers make a late change, with Todd Goldstein (managed) removed from the line up, with the young Nick Bryan his replacement.
David Swallow (Gold Coast) and Elijah Tsatas (Essendon) are the subs for their respective teams.
After three quick behinds to open proceedings, Peter Wright kicked the Bombers’ first goal for the evening.
Harrison Jones converted truly from his set shot with his first disposal of the match, giving the visitors an early 14-point lead.
After 12 and a half minutes, Ben Long slotted Gold Coast’s first after an uncharacteristically slow start on their home turf.
An unlikely source in Jake Kelly returned serve however, kicking from 45 metres out directly in front to nullify Long’s goal.
Bailey Humphrey nailed a set shot of his own, before Ben King missed a set shot after the siren to leave Essendon nine-point leaders at quarter time.
Nic Martin racked up 11 disposals in the first term, with skipper Zach Merrett and Jordan Ridley not far behind with nine of their own.
Martin also had a game-high four score involvements, a seriously impressive effort after just 30 minutes.
“Their run, their speed and their hardness at the ball has stood out – the Suns are lucky to be this close,” Brisbane Lions champion Alastair Lynch said at the break on Fox Footy’s coverage.
Ben King made up for an early second quarter miss, eventually converting five minutes into the term to reduce the Suns’ deficit to just two points.
It was the Ben’s that continue to drive the Suns’ resurgence, each kicking their second goal for the match to make it four unanswered goals, and importantly a 10-point lead in their favour.
Nik Cox stemmed the flow momentarily for Essendon with his goal, before Ben Ainsworth kicked the last goal before half time with a ripper.
The Suns lead the Bombers by eight points at the main break, with Mac Andrew absolutely everywhere down back for Gold Coast — registering 17 disposals and six intercept possessions.
Despite an early injury concern, Sam Flanders leads the disposals count across both sides with 19 of his own.
“The Bombers were just a bit tougher earlier in the piece,” said Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy at half-time.
Ben King slotted the first goal of the second half, opening up a 14-point Suns lead.
“Gold Coast, they’ve just attacked it so hard this term,” Healy said as the Suns kicked another major through Ben Long. It’s now a game-high 20-point lead for the home side.
“Looking ominous,” Dawyne Russell added as Gold Coast continued to pepper the goalface.
Nic Martin wasted a huge opportunity to close Essendon’s deficit, before Jye Caldwell saluted with a classy banana finish! 14-point game with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.
There was a slightly controversial moment as Nick Hind slotted a nice snap before a review to determine whether it was touched by Brayden Fiorini. It appeared it might have nicked Fiorini’s fingertips, but without definitive evidence, the goal was awarded.
In any case, Jack Lukosius responded for the Suns, snapping truly as Gold Coast took an 11-point lead into the final change.
Nik Cox kicked the first goal of the last quarter to close Essendon’s gap to five points! Seems we’re set for a thrilling finish in Carrara.
Noah Anderson conceded a 50-metre penalty after pre-empting a Sam Durham play-on. Durham goaled to tie things up at 61!
However, just a matter of moments later, Ben Long marked in the goalsquare to reinstall Gold Coast’s lead.
But as soon as they, they gave it back up after the Bombers punished a Suns turnover! 67 apiece with just under 13 minutes of playing time left.
This is incredible — it is goal for goal here on the Gold Coast! Ben King answers the call for the Suns this time, pushing them back out to a six-point buffer.
“Don’t go anywhere!” Russell exclaimed.
The Suns’ surge was on full display after capitalising on a loose ball between the arcs, with Lukosius again the beneficiary as he strolled into an open goal. 12-point game with 12 minutes remaining.
Bailey Humphrey has been tactically subbed out of the game. Veteran David Swallow is into the action.
Tom Berry marked strongly and kicked truly for the Suns! It’s now a 17-point difference and the Bombers are teetering on the edge.
Essendon desperately needed the next goal and got it after a terrific piece of solo play by Nik Cox, who has two majors in the final stanza. 11 points.
Jake Stringer had a set-shot chance to get the Dons to within five points but kicked it on the full. Still an 11-point game with six minutes left.
Matt Guelfi got the Dons to within five points, but a costly 50-metre penalty against the Bombers resulted in a Touk Miller goal to put the result within doubt!
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