Gold Coast jumped to third on the NEAFL ladder after a hard-fought 16-point victory over Aspley in one of the matches of the season so far on Saturday afternoon.
Scores were level at three-quarter time as injuries took their toll on both sides, but it was the SUNS who found an extra gear to run out 13.9 (87) to 10.13 (73) winners at South Pine Sports Complex.
No more than eight points separated the sides for the entire first half as a brutal contest also showed flashes of brilliance with numerous highlights.
At the main break, the SUNS held a four-point lead courtesy of a 75-metre bomb by defender Trent McKenzie shortly before the siren, as the two sides continued to trade blows.
Cameron Loersch was the first to strike in the third to extend the SUNS’ lead, but the Hornets had squared the match up by the 21-minute mark when Daniel Joseph had his second major for the term.
Academy member Mitch Olarenshaw gave the SUNS some breathing space to start the last, and Brad Scheer had the momentum squarely in Gold Coast’s favour when he made it two-in-a-row at the 10-minute mark.
A costly kick-in error from gallant Aspley defender Gavin Grose gifted the SUNS a third straight goal for the quarter to extend their lead to a game-high 18 points during time-on, where Gold Coast kept their opponents at bay for the remainder of the match.
Gold Coast NEAFL coach Stephen Daniel said the players showed plenty of spirit to come away with a win.
“We took a little while to get going, which was a little frustrating from our point of view, but in the end we showed a lot of heart which is quite exciting to see from the group to get up and over the line,” he said.
“Contested possessions are something we like to pride ourselves on, and in the end I think we ended up winning by a considerable margin (159-123), so we were pretty happy with that.
Callum Ah Chee was superb for the SUNS in a defensive role, finishing with 22 disposals, seven rebound 50s and a goal.
Josh Schoenfeld (30 disposals), Brad Scheer and Trent McKenzie (32 disposals, seven rebound 50s) were also catalysts in the victory.
The SUNS will take on Brisbane in round four in a curtain raiser game at Metricon Stadium at 12.55pm.
Aspley Hornets v Gold Coast Suns at South Pine Sports Complex
GOLD COAST 3.1 7.3 10.4 13.9 (87)
ASPLEY 4.2 6.5 9.10 10.13 (73)
GOALS
Gold Coast: M Hallahan 2 C Loersch 2 J Schoenfeld C Ah Chee M Olarenshaw B Scheer T Nicholls C Offermans T McKenzie D Macpherson J Lonergan.
Aspley: B Warren 2 D Joseph 2 R Toye 2 C French N Jackson M Payne E Barlow.
BEST
Gold Coast: C Ah Chee J Schoenfeld B Scheer T McKenzie J Lonergan.
Aspley: R Toye D Joseph E Barlow G Grose M Hutchinson W Wolbers.
