The Gold Coast SUNS have held on to take victory by two points at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.
A seven-goal third term has helped the SUNS to a remarkable win in a thrilling game that came right down to the wire.
The win moves the SUNS to nine wins and six losses on the season, with only percentage keeping them from entering the top eight on the ladder.
The game was kicked started by a Jack Bowes major as Gold Coast held the ascendency for much of the opening term only to let in two late goals to trail by seven points at quarter-time.
Best afield, Brayden Fiorini had 11 of his 32 disposals in the first quarter, as Sam Day and Alex Sexton scored the second and third of the SUNS goals for the term.
Inaccuracy plagued the Gold Coast for much of the first half as the SUNS kicked seven behinds in the second term alone.
Matching it with the Lions across majority of the ground, the scoresheet was the only difference in what appeared to be a very evenly contested match.
Bowes kicked the SUNS only goal of the second quarter and finished the match as one of the best on ground with three goals, 18 disposals and six clearances.
The Lions led by 22 points at the main break but the scoreboard did not reflect the contest and effort from the SUNS.
The second half started with a bang, as the SUNS kicked four of the first five goals.
Hewego Oea kicked the first, finishing the game with a goal, 20 disposals and five tackles.
Sexton and Day kicked their second, as Ned Moyle, Oscar Faulkhead and the VFL’s leading goal kicker, Chris Burgess, all added majors to cut the Lions lead to four at the final change.
Moyle began to gain some ascending in a hard-fought ruck battle against his more experienced opponent.
Alex Davies and James Tsitas started to control the midfield as both finished the game with 17 disposals.
The final quarter was a tense battle but goals from Sexton and Day helped the SUNS to an early 10 point led.
Some incredible defence from rising youngster Mac Andrew and Academy prospect Lloyd Johnston, helped to keep the Lions at bay.
Malcolm Rosas Jnr and Davies both made successful returns from injury and both will push for AFL selection next week.
The SUNS VFL team will take on Port Melbourne next Sunday from 9:05am at Metricon Stadium.
Gold Coast SUNS 3.2 4.9 11.12 13.13 (91)
Coburg Lions 4.3 8.7 12.9 13.11 (89)
Goals: Day 3, Bowes 3, Sexton 3, Burgess, Faulkhead, Oea
Best: Fiorini, Bowes, Oea, Day, Moyle
