A STUNNING second-half avalanche by Gold Coast has piloted the Suns to their fifth win of the season, demoralising Sydney by 38 points on a hot Sunday afternoon at People First Stadium.
Gold Coast trailed by 29 points late in the second term but banged on 12 consecutive goals on the way to a 17.15 (117) to 12.7 (79) triumph.
The win sets up arguably the most anticipated QClash in history at the Gabba next Sunday night, with the Suns (5-1) joining premier Brisbane (6-1) in the top four.
Damien Hardwick's men could hardly have played worse in the first half as they fumbled and bumbled their way to a hefty deficit, but the response following the main break was as emphatic as it was devastating.
After the midfield was belted early on, the Suns kicked 6.6 to 0.1 in the defining third quarter, feasting on the back of a 15-3 clearance advantage and 18-5 inside 50s.
They ran all over the Swans.
Former skipper Jarrod Witts was magnificent, with his 18 disposals and six clearances telling only part of his influence.
Bailey Humphrey kicked four goals, including one that sailed through half post high from the centre square, among his 18 disposals, while Ben King kicked five to move to the top of the Coleman Medal tally.
Touk Miller (24) had a big influence after half-time, while Noah Anderson (22) fought a James Jordon tag and Daniel Rioli (21 and two goals) added so much dash and creativity from half-back.
Following such a dominant opening half, the Swans' capitulation was hard to believe.
James Rowbottom had the better of Matt Rowell in their head-to-head stoppage battle before the young Sun wrestled back some control, while Chad Warner was electric early before fading out of the game.
The Swans could not win the ball at the contest and when they won it back in the defensive 50, continued to gift Gold Coast chances with poor turnovers.
Their 25-point lead at quarter-time could easily have been more.
The Suns responded well early in the second, kicking the first two goals, before Sydney re-established its dominance to get out to a 29-point advantage.
After not having a touch for most of the first half, young Suns forward Jed Walter breathed life into his team just before the main break, extracting two free kicks for goals that tightened the scores.
A second-half avalanche
Whatever Damien Hardwick said at half-time had the desired result. Unlike previous seasons where Gold Coast battled to change momentum within games, this year things are different. After being beaten around the stoppages in the first two quarters, the Suns hit back and hit back hard, winning 15 clearances to three in the third term to establish field position and feast with 6.6 to 0.1. Despite a quiet game from Matt Rowell and little influence from skipper Noah Anderson, the rest of the Suns midfield came to the party, led by Jarrod Witts, Touk Miller and impressive youngster Bailey Humphrey.
GOLD COAST 2.2 6.6 12.12 17.15 (117)
SYDNEY 6.3 9.5 9.6 12.7 (79)
GOALS
Gold Coast: King 5, Humphrey 4, Walter 3, Rioli 2, Rowell, Long, Holman
Sydney: Blakey 3, Ch.Warner 2, Campbell 2, Co.Warner, McLean, Ladhams, Jordon, Heeney
BEST
Gold Coast: Witts, Humphrey, Miller, Rioli, King, Noble
Sydney: Rowbottom, Ch.Warner, Bice, Lloyd, Melican
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Sydney: Paton (calf)
SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Connor Budarick (replaced Ben Ainsworth in the fourth quarter)
Sydney: Tom Hanily (replaced Ben Paton at half-time)
Crowd: 18,034 at People First Stadium
