The Gold Coast SUNS have defeated the Sydney Swans by 12 points at the Blacktown International Sports Park this afternoon.
The SUNS have clinched a spot in the Preliminary Final against the Southport Sharks next week with a thrilling win over a strong Sydney Swans outfit.
Four goals from Chris ‘Frosty’ Burgess and 45 disposals from Sam Flanders, propelled the SUNS to one win away from a Grand Final berth.
A fast-starting SUNS outfit shot to a three-goal lead midway through the first quarter only to be run down and hold a one-point advantage at the break.
After a slow start to the term, Jed Foggo opened the SUNS account with a set shot 30 metres out.
James Tsitas, Jack Bowes and Jeremy Sharp helped the Gold Coast take control before the Swans wrestled back momentum.
Tsitas was dominant in the middle of the ground and would be a physical presence all day, standing up in the big moments, finishing with 31 touches, seven tackles and a goal.
The Swans flew out of the blocks in the second term controlling the ball and kicking three of the first four goals.
However, it was the SUNS who charged home, with Burgess kicking three goals in the quarter to trail Sydney by only two points at half-time.
Sam Flanders was enormous in second term and would finish the leading ball-winner on the ground, along with 10 clearances for the game, in a match winning performance.
A high-scoring third quarter saw the SUNS kick six goals and post a 24-point lead at the final change.
Two goals from Alex Sexton and Sharp’s second, saw the SUNS put the pressure on the Swans going into the final term.
Patrick Murtagh, who had a tough first half against Hayden Mclean was enormous down back in the third, spoiling aerial attacks and winning ball at ground level to minimise the threat from the Swans forwards.
Charlie Constable used the ball very effectively throughout the contest and would finish with 35 disposals and nine clearances providing a big body in the middle of the ground.
A windy day in Blacktown meant scoring would come from end for most of the day, with the SUNS kicking against the wind in the final quarter.
The final quarter saw a see-sawing battle where the Swans kicked the first three goals to bring the margin back to two points.
Inaccuracy cost the Swans with Sexton and Jack Bowes, kicking clutch goals to ensure the SUNS would progress to week three of the finals.
Bowes kicked two goals but popped up in important moments throughout the match all across the ground.
Along with Jeremy Sharp, who also kicked two goals and used the ball to great effect out of defence in the final quarter, as did Darcy Macpherson and Sandy Brock.
The SUNS will now face the Southport Sharks next week in a local derby to decide who will playoff for a chance to play in the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final.
Gold Coast SUNS 4.4 7.5 13.9 15.9 (99)
Sydney Swans 4.3 7.7 9.9 12.15 (87)
Goals: Burgess 4, Sexton 3, Bowes 2, Sharp 2, Conroy, M. Corbett, Foggo, Tsitas
Best: Flanders, Constable, Tsitas, Burgess, Sharp, Macpherson
