The Gold Coast SUNS never looked back after booting the first six goals of the match and went on to secure a 51-point win over the GIANTS on Saturday afternoon at Metricon Stadium,
Both sides were inaccurate with ball in hand a times, but it was ultimately the SUNS who took the most of their opportunities in the 18.14 (122) to 10.11 (71) victory.
The home side were well served by the return of Matt Shaw (38 disposals, nine marks, eight inside 50s) and Brayden Fiorini (30 disposals, five clearances, two goals).
The SUNS were alight from the outset, piling on 41 unanswered points before the GIANTS woke from their slumber to have the last six scoring shots of the quarter, trailing at quarter time by just 25 points.
The GIANTS scored a few early last quarter goals to keep the game interesting, but ultimately the SUNS kicked away and were never seriously challenged in a win that ensured their place in the top six.
Darcy Macpherson continued his stellar season in the midfield, working his way into the match to finish with 29 disposals and a goal.
He wasn’t alone, with a breakout performance for SUNS Academy player Kai Sheers – the pint-sized 19-year-old from Broadbeach making his touches count with three second quarter goals.
By the end of the match the SUNS had contributors all over the park, with Ryan Davis (25 disposals, two goals), Mitch Hallahan (24 disposals, six clearances) and Will Brodie (22 disposals, six inside 50s, two goals) among them.
Gold Coast travel to Darwin next round to face NT Thunder before their first bye.
Gold Coast Suns v GIANTS at Metricon Stadium
GOLD COAST 6.5 12.10 13.12 18.14 (122)
GIANTS 2.4 5.6 7.9 10.11 (71)
GOALS
Gold Coast: K Sheers 3 W Brodie 2 B Fiorini 2 R Davis 2 C Offermans 2 N Kempe D Currie D Macpherson C Loersch J Bowes M Saad C Portelli.
Giants: J Finlayson 3 D Lloyd 2 T McInnes D Addison Z Sproule M Flynn.
BEST
Gold Coast: B Fiorini R Davis D Macpherson M Willis K Sheers.
Giants: M de Boer I Cumming J Finlayson T Mohr D Lloyd.
