The GWS GIANTS’ loss to Gold Coast in Mackay on Saturday night was further soured with a serious leg injury to young playmaker Lachlan Tiziani.

The second-year draftee fell awkwardly in a tackle during the third term of the GIANTS 21-point loss, and immediately called for the stretcher.

The GIANTS battled admirably against a SUNS outfit which held the ascendency for most of the night to run out 14.9 (93) to 11.6 (72) winners at Harrup Park.

The SUNS took control early with a four-goal opening term, with Dylan Buckley keeping the GIANTS in the contest with his side’s only goal for the quarter.

Buckley again bobbed up in the second for another goal before Tiziani came alive, booting three for the quarter as the GIANTS as they went toe-to-toe with the SUNS.

But Gold Coast always kept their opponents at arms’ length, adding three goals to two in the third for a match-winning 28-point lead at the last break.

Jacob Heron topped the goal scorers with three majors for the SUNS, with Will Brodie, Charlie Ballard and Connor Nutting all booting two.

Jacob Dawson – who captained the side last week against Aspley – was best-on-ground for Gold Coast while Brad Scheer, Josh Jaska and Nutting were among their key contributors.

Lachlan Keeffe was a tower of strength for the GIANTS alongside Matthew Flynn (two goals), Isaac Cumming and Zac Sproule.

The SUNS will take on defending premier Brisbane next Sunday while the GIANTS have the bye next week.

  

Gold Coast SUNS v GWS GIANTS at Harrup Park

GOLD COAST 4.1 9.4 12.7 14.9 (93)
GWS GIANTS 1.2 6.3 8.3 11.6 (72)

GOALS
Gold Coast: J Heron 3, W Brodie 2, C Ballard 2, C Nutting 2, T Bowie, B Crossley, J Lonergan, R Buckland, B Scheer
GWS GIANTS: L Tiziani 3, M Flynn 2, D Addison 2, D Buckley 2, L Keeffe, J Buchanan


BEST
Gold Coast: J Dawson, B Scheer ,J Jaska, C Nutting, M Willis, E Baru
GWS GIANTS: L Keeffe, M Flynn, I Cumming, Z Sproule, L Tiziani