The Gold Coast SUNS have regained top spot on the VFL ladder after a 40-point victory over GWS at Manuka Oval on Sunday morning.
In frosty Canberra conditions, with the thermometer reading one degree Celsius at first bounce, the SUNS kicked away to an early lead it never relinquished, winning 17.17 (119) to 12.7 (79).
In contradiction to the need to activate the sprinklers to defrost the Manuka deck, the SUNS started hot, booting the first three goals of the match.
Playing in the midfield, Malcolm Rosas was busy early, accumulating 14 of his 28 disposals in the first quarter alone, while also having a major influence on the match with two goals.
He was supported by Brayden Fiorini who, after being the AFL substitute the week prior, dominated in the midfield to be one of the SUNS’ best on the day with 44 disposals and a goal.
The Giants pushed back in the second quarter, before a Fiorini goal on the half-time siren saw the margin sit at 27 points at the main break.
In the forward half, it was Alex Sexton (three goals), Chris Burgess (three) and Brodie McLaughlin (two) who did the damage on the scoreboard alongside Rosas.
McLaughlin and Burgess now sit tied atop the VFL goalkicking honours with 40 majors this season.
Ned Moyle shared the ruck duties with Chris Burgess, allowing the young ruckman to develop his forward craft, clunking four marks inside 50 (three contested) and kicking 1.3.
Charlie Constable found plenty of the footy off half-back, recording 32 disposals and six marks.
Small defender Connor Budarick was busy, accumulating 21 disposals off half-back and taking 10 marks.
The SUNS next face third-placed Brisbane in the VFL next Saturday in a curtain raiser at Heritage Bank Stadium from 12:05pm.
FINAL SCORE:
GOLD COAST SUNS 5.3 9.6 13.12 17.17 (119)
GWS GIANTS 2.2 5.3 11.5 12.7 (79)
SUNS GOALS: Burgess 3, Sexton 3, McLaughlin 2, Rosas 2, Blakely, Day, Eckersley, Faulkhead, Fiorini, Moyle , Sharp
SUNS BEST: Fiorini, Rosas, Burgess, Constable, Moyle, Sharp
