A costly third-quarter lapse has cost the Gold Coast SUNS reserves a chance at registering their maiden victory for 2016, going down to Aspley by 11 points on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.

After an outstanding opening quarter which allowed Gold Coast to open up a 31-point buffer, the Hornets slammed on five unanswered goals in the third term to run out 14.7 (91) to 11.14 (80) winners.

“I think we started really well and probably didn’t capitalise on our opportunities,” GC SUNS development coach Aaron Rogers told SUNS TV.

“4.8 I think it was to one point at quarter time and you hope that doesn’t come back to haunt you and then as the game went on our field kicking probably cost us as well.

“What was probably a really encouraging start to the game, we were probably a little bit disappointed we couldn’t will ourselves over the line.

“We got within a goal with a couple of minutes to go and went down by 10 points so a few things to work on, hugely positive signs off the back of some efforts up in NT but again we’ve just got to work on icing the game off.”

For the home side, Peter Wright and Jarrod Garlett both kicked three goals while classy midfielder Brayden Fiorini finished with 32 disposals.

GOLD COAST 4.8 5.9 8.10 11.14 (80)
ASPLEY 0.1 3.2 10.2 14.7 (91)

GOALS
Gold Coast: P. Wright 3, J. Garlett 3, C. Loersch 2, B. Fiorini, K. Brooksby, L. Russell
Aspley: J. Nelis 3, J. Ives 2, M. Payne 2, D. Bevan, M. McKee, M. Hutchinson, J. Turner, C. Stevenson, E. Mallan, R. Holman

BEST
Gold Coast: P. Wright, B. Fiorini, H. Schade, L. Russell, M. Willis, D. Macpherson
Aspley: J. Bourke, J. Ives, J. Nelis, E. Mallan, M. Payne