SUNS v Hawks NAB Cup Post-Match Report
A worrying knee injury to Hawthorn's Paul Puopolo and a questionable challenge by Lance Franklin overshadowed a post-siren NAB Cup win for the Gold Coast SUNS.
Puopolo was involved in a nasty fall inside the last minute, but after being assisted to his feet by trainers, hobbled off the ground on his own.
Franklin might be in for an anxious few days after clipping Gold Coast's Matt Shaw high in the SUNS' after-the-siren win at Metricon Stadium.
Mid-way through the second half, Shaw slipped in possession of the ball and was clipped around the head by Franklin.
It appeared to be minimal contact, but the Hawks superstar will face a nervous wait ahead of Monday's Match Review Panel meeting.
The incident overshadowed an exciting match that was only settled after Gold Coast utility Luke Russell kicked a behind from 50m on the left hand boundary line after the siren.
The SUNS won 0.4.6 (30) to 0.4.5 (29).
Although the Hawks played without Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Jarryd Roughead, the SUNS were slick around the stoppages and deserved their win.
Gary Ablett put a disrupted pre-season behind him to lead all players with 13 disposals – including a one-on-one strip of Franklin when the two stars collided during the second half.
Harley Bennell carried on from his sublime 2012 campaign, kicking two goals and finishing with seven disposals, while Jaeger O'Meara (seven disposals) was also prominent.
The SUNS appeared to have a match-winning seven-point lead late in the contest, but a goal to Derek Wanganeen and a Hawks behind levelled the scores.
Just when the match appeared over, Russell was awarded a free kick as the siren sounded and calmly made the distance to score the winning point.
Matt Suckling was Hawthorn's best with 13 disposals, including a laser-like pass to makeshift forward Ryan Shoenmakers for a first-half goal.
Cyril Rioli was also lively in his largely midfield role, collecting six of his eight disposals in the first half.
GOLD COAST SUNS 0.2.3 0.4.6 (30)
HAWTHORN 0.2.4 0.4.5 (29)
SUPERGOALS
Gold Coast SUNS: -
Hawthorn: -
GOALS
Gold Coast SUNS: Bennell 2, Harbrow, Smith
Hawthorn: Breust, Schoenmakers, Grimley, Wanganeen
BEST
Gold Coast SUNS: Ablett, Bennell, Russell, Thompson
Hawthorn: Suckling, Rioli, Wanganeen, Gibson
INJURIES
Gold Coast SUNS: TBC
Hawthorn: Puopolo (knee)
Reports: Nil