In a hot and humid Lismore day, the Gold Coast SUNS have gone down to a polished Sydney outfit by 42-points in JLT2.
After scores were level at quarter-time, Sydney put the game away with a nine-goal second term to finish the match 19.9 (123) to 11.15 (81).
Despite the second quarter setbacks Gold Coast continued to push after the main break and kept with Sydney for the remainder of the match.
Captain Jarrod Witts won the hit-outs (64-19) against Allir Allir, but it wasn’t enough, with Sydney overrunning the SUNS around the contest.
No.2 draft pick Jack Lukosius kicked two third quarter goals and was prominent in defence once moved back in the final quarter.
Unfortunately for Gold Coast Izak Rankine and Aaron Young left the field with suspected injuries, a full update will be released by the club this week in the Alpha Sport Injury Update.
WHAT WE LEARNED
The Suns will learn plenty from their experienced rivals. Despite a huge advantage provided by Jarrod Witts in the ruck (64 hit-outs to 19), Gold Coast struggled to capitalise with clearances. Not only that, Sydney waltzed away with three goals in the match-defining second quarter directly from centre bounces. The new midfield group needs to combine better. In saying that, the Suns can be proud of their fight. Down by 42 at half-time, there was plenty of occasions in 2018 where they would have simply rolled over, but keeping the same margin until full-time is a credit to them.
NEW FACES
It was a mixed bag for the prized top-10 draftees. Jack Lukosius put a quiet first half behind him to kick two goals in the third term and look composed when moved to defence in the fourth quarter. Izak Rankine suffered a hamstring injury after a booming 50m goal highlighted his first half, while Ben King was muscled out of some marking contests by stronger opponents. VFL recruit Sam Collins was excellent in an under-siege backline and is a perfect replacement for the injured Rory Thompson, while Jack Hombsch also looked solid in the back half. Chris Burgess came into the game more after half-time and Anthony Miles (14 disposals) was a little more quiet than he'd like.
Next up
Gold Coast opens its campaign taking on St Kilda at 1.10pm (AEDT) on Sunday March 24.
SYDNEY 5.3 14.5 17.6 19.9 (123)
GOLD COAST 5.3 7.5 10.10 11.15 (81)
GOALS
Sydney: Parker 3, Hayward 2, Dawson, 2, Blakey 2, Reid 2, Hewett, Heeney, Rowbottom, Kennedy, Papley, Aliir, Cunningham, Ronke
Gold Coast: Wright 2, Lukosius 2, Sexton 2, Fiorini, Ainsworth, Swallow, Rankine, Burgess
BEST
Sydney: Parker, Clarke, Kennedy, Mills, Papley, Hewett
Gold Coast: Miller, Fiorini, Wright, Witts, Swallow, Collins
INJURIES
Sydney: Sinclair replaced in selected side by Rowbottom; Lloyd (illness) replaced in selected side by Wicks.
Gold Coast: Rankine (hamstring), Young (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Official crowd: 4918 at Oakes Oval (Lismore)
