The return of Gary Ablett has helped spark Gold Coast to its second win of the season, a 55-point triumph over North Melbourne.
Almost a year to the day of his season-ending shoulder injury last year, the superstar SUNS skipper provided a timely reminder of what his side had been missing in the 19.11 (125) to 10.10 (70) victory on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.
Ablett finished with a team-high 31 disposals, but it was his sheer presence that inspired his teammates to rise to another level after a horrific week for the code.
"The leadership this week's been terrific in the club," SUNS coach Rodney Eade said.
"The players really took control at training and control of the spirit and enthusiasm around the place.
"The character of the group is really starting to shine through."
Previously rudderless without Ablett and barely competitive in weeks gone by, it felt like a return to the SUNS of old.
The dual Brownlow medallist also kicked three majors and his influence on the contest grew as the likes of best-on-ground Kade Kolodjashnij (28) and Michael Rischitelli (28) rallied around him.
Eade says the group has grown in confidence with Ablett, but believes his biggest impact comes through his disposal efficiency.
"He actually kicks it to someone when he gets it, or kicks a goal," Eade said.
"A lot of times, we work really hard but we make basic errors. Gary doesn't make those, and the good players don't."
Aaron Hall chipped in with three goals and defender Steven May silenced North Melbourne forward Jarrod Waite.
The SUNS were rarely troubled against a surprisingly lacklustre Kangaroos outfit and, at one stage, led by as much as 29 points in a dominant first half.
Three North Melbourne goals helped trim the margin back to 11 points at half-time and they appeared to have all the momentum at that stage - only for Gold Coast to fire straight back with three of its own at the start of the third term.
The Kangaroos were never a chance from then on, and the margin blew out as the SUNS basked in the glory of an eight-goal final quarter.
The only highlight from a North Melbourne perspective was Lindsay Thomas' mark-of-the-year contender early on, when he rode Adam Saad like a chairlift - and then crashed head-on into the ground, shaken and unable to take his kick.
GOLD COAST 2.3 5.5 11.9 19.11 (125)
NORTH MELBOURNE 0.4 3.6 6.9 10.10 (70)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Dixon 7, Ablett 3, Hall 3, Brooksby 2, Kolodjashnij, Russell, Hallahan, Sexton
North Melbourne: Petrie 3, Higgins 2, Cunnington 2, Waite, Nahas, Ziebell
BEST
Gold Coast: Kolodashnij, Dixon, May, Ablett, Swallow, Rischitelli
North Melbourne: Thompson, Gibson, Macmillan, Goldstein, Cunnington
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Jesse Lonergan replaced Keegan Brooksby at three-quarter time
North Melbourne: Trent Dumont replaced Majak Daw in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, Nicholls, Ryan
Official crowd: 14,444 at Metricon Stadium
