Gold Coast have produced a stunning 26-point upset win over Fremantle at Domain Stadium that will rank as one of the club’s greatest in its short history.
The 19.12 (126) to 14.16 (100) win broke all sorts of records for the SUNS, importantly being their first win at Domain Stadium in eight attempts as well as their first win over the Dockers at any venue.
It was the first time the SUNS have started the season with consecutive wins and the first time the Dockers have begun the year with consecutive losses since 2009.
The SUNS also kicked the highest score of any visiting side against the Dockers since Ross Lyon began his coaching tenure at the start of 2012.
Gold Coast used superior pace and skill to pick Fremantle apart, stunning the Dockers' faithful into silence.
Tom Lynch starred with an equal career-high five goals while Jack Martin was equally dangerous with four goals and two goal assists.
Dion Prestia gathered 24 disposals and kicked two goals, while Aaron Hall had another big night with 32 touches at 87 per cent efficiency, continuing his great start to the season.
Adam Saad only gathered the ball 15 times, but his run and carry was very damaging out of defence.
Nat Fyfe tried to keep the Dockers in it with 34 possessions and three goals but he had little support. Michael Walters kicked 3.3 and Matthew Pavlich 2.2, but they missed golden chances at key moments.
The SUNS weathered an early storm after trailing by 13 points in time-on in the first term before taking control thereafter. They kicked seven goals to two in the second term to lead by 29 points at half-time and were never challenged from there.
The difference between the two sides was the efficiency going forward. The Dockers won the clearances 43-32, contested possessions 157-122 and the inside 50s 59-51.
But their ball use was deplorable at times on the back of some excellent pressure from the SUNS, and their skill and composure was far superior to the Dockers. Gold Coast kicked at 69 per cent efficiency and had 11 players with a disposal efficiency of 80 per cent or better, while the Dockers kicked at 56 per cent efficiency for the match.
FREMANTLE 4.4 6.7 11.10 14.16 (100)
GOLD COAST 4.3 11.6 16.9 19.12 (126)
GOALS
Fremantle: Ballantyne 4, Fyfe 3, Walters 3, Pavlich 2, Mundy, Mayne
Gold Coast: Lynch 5, Martin 4, Ah Chee 2, Matera 2, Davis 2, Ablett, Sexton, Prestia, Cameron
BEST
Fremantle: Fyfe, Walters, Neale, Ballantyne, Pavlich, Johnson
Gold Coast: Hall, Lynch, Prestia, Ablett, Sexton, Martin
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bannister, Dalgleish, Schmitt
Official crowd: 34,208 at Domain Stadium
