In round 16 last season, Gold Coast came of age with a remarkable five-point win over Collingwood on Saturday night, despite losing skipper Gary Ablett with a dislocated shoulder
The SUNS played most of the final quarter with no-one on the bench but held on for a gutsy 11.14 (80) to 10.15 (75) victory in front of a Metricon Stadium record crowd of 24,032.
They overcame a poor first half to strangle the Magpies and retain a spot in the top eight.
But Ablett's third quarter injury could send their finals aspirations into a tailspin.
Not only did the SUNS play the final 50 minutes without their skipper, but also finished the game minus Charlie Dixon (calf), Trent McKenzie (hamstring) and Sean Lemmens (concussion).
The SUNS had no rotations for the final 20 minutes but gutsed it out.
David Swallow (31 disposals) was magnificent, Harley Bennell (26) lifted after a slow first half and Sam Day found form with four critical goals.
His fourth from 55m with just minutes remaining sealed the deal when the SUNS were being challenged.
Clinton Young missed a golden chance to put the Magpies in front late when he dropped a simple chest mark 30 metres out with just two minutes left to play.
Ablett's injury will send shockwaves through the competition after he was helped off by trainers in severe pain after falling awkwardly in a Brent Macaffer tackle.
Ablett appeared to break his fall with his left elbow, forcing the shoulder out of place.
McKenna said he would have scans on Monday to determine the amount of time on the sidelines.
The champ had racked up 19 disposals before his injury, which came just minutes after Dixon was subbed off with his corked calf.
Collingwood were brilliant in the opening term and settled much quicker in front of the near sell-out crowd to lead by 13 points.
Travis Cloke caused all sorts of headaches early, and after kicking 1.2 and giving off two goals to Clinton Young, forced SUNS coach Guy McKenna to shift Steven May and put Rory Thompson on the star forward.
In the second quarter Collingwood kept the pressure on, but somehow the SUNS reduced the lead to 11 points at the main break.
The visitors had a run of 10 straight behinds during the second and third quarters to kick themselves out of the match.
GOLD COAST 2.2 5.3 8.7 11.14 (80)
COLLINGWOOD 4.3 6.8 6.13 10.15 (75)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Day 4, Lynch 2, Dixon 2, Hall, Bennell, Prestia
Collingwood: Young 2, Cloke 2, Kennedy 2, Sidebottom, Goldsack, Thomas, Seedsman
BEST
Gold Coast: Swallow, Day, Rischitelli, Bennell, Lynch
Collingwood: Pendlebury, Cloke, Witts, Beams, Kennedy
Crowd: 24,032
