The Sydney Swans showed their class in the NEAFL on Saturday, overrunning the SUNS at Metricon Stadium.
It was a balanced contest in the first quarter, with both teams able to damage the scoreboard early, before a silky Swans outfit showed their experience and pace, running out 17.14 (116) to 8.10 (58) victors.
Connor Nutting was arguably the best SUN afield, kicking an impressive 3.2 and showing promise in a new forward role this year.
Josh Schoenfeld and George Horlin-Smith were busy through the midfield, finishing with 31 and 23 disposals respectively.
Will Brodie continued his solid form, racking up 27 touches, eight tackles and five clearances, while Jacob Dawson played an important defensive role.
However, it was the Swans run and carry through the midfield and their ability to hit targets up forward that proved too strong in the end.
WATCH: NEAFL RD8 - Tim Clark speaks to SUNS Media
First-year midfielder James Rowbottom had 31 disposals, while Dan Menzel showed his poise in his second game back, finishing with five goals.
On the loss, SUNS Assistant Coach Tim Clarke said Sydney were simply too strong around the contest and a flood of forward 50 entries proved too much for the defence.
“We just couldn’t beat them around the footy,” Clarke told SUNS Media.
“We knew going into the game we needed to outnumber at the contest and get the ball going our way to have a chance of scoring.
“Sydney were too strong in that area and put our backs in too much pressure.”
In positive signs for SUNS fans, Brayden Crossley, Callum Ah Chee and Sam Fletcher all returned from injury and got through the game unscathed.
FINAL SCORE:
Gold Coast SUNS 3.3 6.4 8.6 8.10 (58)
Sydney Swans 3.5 8.9 12.12 17.14 (116)
GOALS:
Gold Coast SUNS: Nutting 3, Crossley 2, Buckland, Briggs, Gilmore
Sydney Swans: Menzel 5, Foot 2, Ronke, Maguire, Wicks, Cameron, McInerney, Kilpatrick, Martin, Tyson, Amartey, Pawle
BEST:
Gold Coast SUNS: Nutting, Schoenfeld, Horlin-Smith, Dawson, Brodie
Sydney Swans: Rowbottom, Rose, Menzel, Stoddard, Cameron
