Gary Ablett continued his rich run of form against Hawthorn with another dominant performance as Gold Coast saw off a fast-finishing Hawks outfit to win by 16 points on Saturday.

 

The dual Brownlow medallist picked up 37 disposals, 10 tackles and kicked two important goals in the Suns' 13.17 (95) to 12.7 (79) win at the MCG as Gold Coast overcame a late stumble to claim the victory.

 

The Suns led by as much as 43 points deep into the third term before the Hawks' charge, which saw them kick six unanswered goals and get within nine points.

 

But with the Hawks pressing at the 21-minute mark of the final term, the Suns' prized No.4 pick from last year, Ben Ainsworth, took a brilliant mark close to goal.

 

His ensuing shot missed, but he was fortunately given a 50-metre penalty after Hawks defender Kaiden Brand infringed on the mark, handing Ainsworth and the Suns a certain goal.

 

The 15-point point break proved enough, with Peter Wright adding another to seal the Suns' win in what could be their only MCG game for 2017.

 

Ablett entered the clash averaging 38 disposals against the Hawks since 2010, including four 40-plus efforts in the 10 games in this period. For most of that time his impact hasn't mattered too much for the Hawks, who were in their golden era of success.

 

But with the Hawks' hopes dwindling, Ablett's influence cut deeper on Saturday as he helped steer the Suns to their fifth win of the year.

 

The Suns weren't as clinical as their 86-point demolition of the Hawks in round three – a loss that signaled the end of Hawthorn's premiership era – but it was again a dominant third quarter that steered them to victory as they kicked five majors for the term.

 

Ablett's masterclass was the highlight, but he had plenty of support from his midfield mates. Former Crow Jarryd Lyons (28 disposals) and ex-Docker Michael Barlow (24, one goal) were excellent, David Swallow had another solid day, and Brandon Matera was clever up forward although missed a few opportunities (he booted 2.4).

 

Hawthorn was no doubt weakened. Already without a smattering of premiership heroes, including Grant Birchall, James Frawley, Ben Stratton and Cyril Rioli, Alastair Clarkson lost Luke Breust (illness) and Luke Hodge (groin soreness) before the match.

 

It meant too much was again left to Tom Mitchell (39 disposals) in the midfield, while Isaac Smith (24) and late inclusion Billy Hartung (25) tried to offer run and carry and drive the ball inside 50. Jack Gunston kicked five goals from 19 disposals in a season-best outing.

 

The Suns held a seven-point lead at the opening change but the contest was relatively even: both sides were keen to use the wings rather than the corridor to attack.

 

However, where Gold Coast had big pair Tom Lynch and Wright to target their forward entries, the Hawks were a little lighter on for marking options, allowing Suns captain Steven May to drop off and mop up in the backline. His 11-disposal first term, which included seven marks (all uncontested), was important in holding down the fort.

 

The Suns' superior pace started to come to the fore in the second term and with the first two goals in the quarter they leapt to a 21-point lead.

Hawthorn went more than half an hour of game time without a goal, before Mitchell skidded through a kick from close range. It sparked the Hawks a little, and they kicked another through late inclusion Kade Stewart to get within nine points, before Lynch's clutch shot in the dying seconds of the first half reinstated the Suns' 15-point lead.

 

The Suns' gap wasn't huge, but against a Hawthorn side stripped of stars and self-belief, it was hard to see a Hawks challenge being successful.

 

Gold Coast's three-quarter time lead of 32 points gave them enough of a buffer to withstand the final-term onslaught and hold on.

 

Hawthorn: Kaiden Brand left the field in the first quarter with a nasty gash to his face, which required treatment in the rooms to stop the bleeding. He made it back onto the field in the second term. Josh Gibson (groin) and Isaac Smith (hip) both appeared to be playing through injury concerns, but they managed to see out the game.

 

Gold Coast: The Suns appeared to get through the game without any injury concerns.

 

The Suns will head home and host Carlton at Metricon Stadium next Saturday night, while the Hawks have their bye. Clarkson's men will return in round 14 against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

Hawthorn: Gunston 5, O'Brien 2, Henderson, Mitchell, Stewart, Smith, McEvoy

Gold Coast: Lynch 2, Ablett 2, Matera 2, Wright 2, Barlow, Lemmens, Lyons, Martin, Ainsworth

Hawthorn: Mitchell, Gunston, Hartung, Smith, Burgoyne, Henderson

Gold Coast: Ablett, Lyons, Barlow, Witts, Swallow, May  

Hawthorn: Gibson (adductor), Hodge (groin) replaced in the selected side by Stewart

Gold Coast: Miller (illness) replaced in the selected side by Lonergan

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Fisher, Deboy, Chamberlain, Meredith

Official crowd: 27,392 at the MCG