The Gold Coast SUNS have gone down to Greater Western Sydney, who is inside the top eight for the first time since round one, on Sunday afternoon.
Six of the third quarter's seven goals saw the Giants turn an arm-wrestle into an uphill battle for the SUNS at Manuka Oval, with skipper Toby Greene's three majors crucial in getting them across the line, 15.13 (103) to 9.9 (63).
Greene became the hugely influential forward-half factor his side needed as the game wore on, taking some clever marks and creating chances for his teammates while booting 3.4.
Stifled early by a Suns outfit intent on keeping their season alive, GWS's slick running game emerged as proceedings wore on.
It was a disappointing fade-out from a SUNS side who began their afternoon in Canberra playing high-pressure footy.
Led by a six-clearance term from Sam Flanders and Jack Lukosuis' creativity around goal, they had pinched a seven-point quarter-time lead they'd thoroughly deserved.
But the Giants hit back with three straight goals in the second and looked to break free as Greene took over, only for late majors from Ben Ainsworth and Lukosius to get the SUNS to the half just two points in arrears.
Flanders finished with 31 disposals and nine clearances and was comfortably the SUNS' best. Defender Sam Collins was also strong with 22 touches and 11 marks, including 10 intercept marks to equal the AFL record.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.2 6.7 12.8 15.13 (103)
GOLD COAST 4.3 6.5 7.7 9.9 (63)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Greene 3, Brown 2, Daniels 2, Riccardi 2, Cumming, Lloyd, Kelly, Angwin, Bedford, Coniglio
Gold Coast: Lukosius 3, Ainsworth 2, Hollands 2, Oea, Casboult
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Himmelberg, Taylor, Whitfield, Daniels, Coniglio, Greene
Gold Coast: Flanders, Lukosius, Witts, Collins, Atkins, Powell
SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Josh Fahey (replaced Toby Greene during the fourth quarter)
Gold Coast: Jy Farrar (replaced Hewago Oea at three-quarter-time)
Crowd: 10,026 at Manuka Oval
