Gold Coast enters top six after cruising past Redland

A serious injury to Gold Coast midfielder Aaron Young has soured Gold Coast’s 41-point victory over Redland at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Aaron Young suffered what is believed to be a recurrent knee late in the 12.15 (87) to 6.10 (46) win, which put the SUNS in to the top six after three wins in a row.

Young was instrumental early in the victory, which was set up by a seven goal to two first half from the SUNS with the five-goal barrier simply too much for Redland to chase in the second half.

Inaccuracy was the subject for both teams with both sides kicking more behinds then goals. However, the SUNS 5.1 to Redlands 2.4 first quarter proved the real difference maker in the match.

For the SUNS it was again that trio of Jacob Dawson, George Horlin-Smith and Michael Rischitelli who all finished with 25 or more disposals.

Young was outstanding finishing with 27 disposals which included 10 inside 50s and three goals.

The SUNS defensive unit did the job on Matt Hammelmann, reducing the star forward to just the one goal in the match.

The SUNS defensive unit have done a great job the last fortnight limiting Daniel Menzel to the singular goal last week as well. For Hammelmann it was a forgettable day registering just the one major with four behinds.

For the Bombers, the performance today was a reversal from last week’s performance against the Lions where they were able to run with the SUNS in the second half however the damage was done in the first half on the scoreboard. 

Recently recalled Seb Rogers led the Bombers with 24 disposals and nine marks. Pete Yagmoor was solid as well for the away side finding 21 disposals playing in the backline as well as six marks, five tackles and six rebound 50s to round off a complete performance.

Quite a lot was made of the ruck battle this week between Tom Nicholls and Craig Malone. Nicholls won the tap battle 48 to 36 with the SUNS ruckmen also finding 14 disposals in the contest.

For Redland, next week’s matchup against Canberra becomes a must win for them to stay within reaching distance of the pack heading towards finals.

The Gold Coast also have a massive game against Sydney University, who sit just two points behind on the ladder after a thrilling draw with the Demons on Saturday.

NEAFL ROUND 14

Gold Coast SUNS v Redland Bombers at Metricon Stadium

GOLD COAST 5.1 7.9 9.11 12.15 (87)
REDLAND 2.4 2.5 4.7 6.10 (46)

GOALS – Gold Coast: A Young 3 L McDonald 2 T Nicholls 2 C Nutting M Riordan M Rischitelli C Burgess G Horlin-Smith. Redland: S Cormick 2 M Hammelmann J Kennealy B Bailey C Cameron.  
BEST – Gold Coast: C Graham A Young M Rischitelli M Riordan J Dawson G Horlin-Smith. Redland: D Steven M Stallard J Currie C Cameron S Rogers J Kennealy.