SUNS left to rue slow start as Brisbane secures ninth straight victory

A fast start from ladder leaders Brisbane was the catalyst for a 30-point victory against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Five goals to one in the first term set the tone for the Lions, with little separating the sides thereafter as Brisbane won 10.9 (69) to 5.9 (39).

It took until the six-minute mark of the opening term for the Lions to score through academy member Justin Currie, with Gold Coast’s first major coming after 20 minutes through its own academy member Dirk Koenen.

Leading by 25 points at the first change, The Lions extended their lead to 31 with Connor McFayden’s second goal, but the SUNS did well to win the quarter and reduce the margin at the main break.

They restricted the Lions to a solitary goal for the term, with key position duo Tom Nicholls and Sam Day adding majors of their own to cut the margin to an even three goals.

Callum Ah Chee – the SUNS best player on the day – booted his first goal to start the third to get the home side within 14 points.

But Gold Coast couldn’t carry on the momentum as Brisbane lifted through the midfield, producing the next three unanswered goals to restore a healthy 33-point lead at the final change.

Gold Coast stood firm in the last as the scoring dried up with only a goal each in the final term troubling the score keepers.

The SUNS showed some good signs throughout the day, with the Lions boasting 16 AFL-listed players to 13, but ultimately they we replaying catch up from a slow start.

Gold coast will take plenty of positives from the loss, including the ability to restrict Brisbane to less than 100 points for the first time all season.

Ryan Bastinac was the star for the winners, collecting 35 disposals at 74.3% efficiency, as well as five clearances, six inside 50s, four tackles and a goal.

Oscar McInerney (33 hit-outs, six tackles, 19 disposals) was strong in the ruck, with Ryan Lester (30 disposals) and Allen Christensen (31) getting plenty of the football.

Academy member and NEAFL Rising Star nominee Keidean Coleman continued his breakout season, finishing with 26 disposals at 80.8% efficiency, eight marks, four inside 50s and a goal.

For the SUNS, Ah Chee was strong throughout with a team-high 23 disposals, plus five clearances and two goals, whilst Crey Ellis (17 disposals, five rebound 50s) and Caleb Graham were among their better performers.

Brisbane, undefeated and on top of the ladder, will have the bye next week whilst Gold Coast take on second-placed Southport at Fankhauser Reserve.

Gold Coast SUNS v Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium

BRISBANE 5.3 6.6 9.9 10.9 (69)
GOLD COAST 1.2 3.6 4.6 5.9 (39)

GOALS – Brisbane: C McFadyen 3 T Wooller 2 R Bastinac K Coleman J Currie T Jeffrey T Joyce. Gold Coast: C Ah Chee 2 S Day D Koenen T Nicholls.
BEST – Brisbane: R Bastinac O McInerney R Lester K Coleman A Christensen C McFadyen. Gold Coast: C Ah Chee C Ellis C Graham M Rischitelli J Leslie.

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