The NEAFL SUNS have staged a stunning fourth comeback to upset their northern rivals the Brisbane Lions by seven points in a thrilling curtain raiser to QClash 4.
The Lions, who sit atop the NEAFL Northern Conference ladder, looked to have the game in control when they kicked the opening goal of the last quarter to open up a 24 point lead.
However the SUNS came charging home, kicking the last five goals of the match to secure bragging rights, and more importantly their ninth win of the season to remain in the hunt for a finals spot.
The Lions shot out of the blocks, kicking the first three goals, before the SUNS steadied and a goal on the siren to skipper Andrew McQualter bought the margin back to 13 points at the first break.
It was a similar story in the second quarter, with the Lions again kicking the first three goals. Two goals to Hayden Jolly kept the SUNS in the contest, trailing by five goals at half time.
The SUNS made their move in the third quarter, kicking four goals to two to bring the margin back to three goals at the final change and give themselves a chance of a memorable victory.
And they took their opportunities, hitting the front inside the last three minutes and holding on for a 15.13 (103) to 14.11 (95) victory.
Coach Shaun Hart was understandably ecstatic at his teams come from behind victory.
"They definitely outworked us in the first half; they were more polished and their pressure was a whole lot better," he said.
"We were really under the pump and probably could have been further behind."
"The second half was different. We really worked hard for our goals and we just dominated the second half."
We just kept persevering and it was an incredible win.
Despite trailing for the first three quarters, it was not through lack of forward 50 entries. The SUNS went inside 50 on countless occasions but turned over the footy.
Hart said the SUNS worked hard to rectify their turnovers in the front half.
"Our method (going forward) was all at sea, and we certainly spoke about it before the game how they would try and line up," he said.
"We certainly had a better method going forward in the second half."
"We just needed to get the right mix of players forward of the ball and I thought we did that."
Despite the win, Hart knows the Lions will be a formidable opponent should they meet again later in the season.
"They are rated highly, but they were missing Billy Longer, Sam Sheldon and James Hawksley, which are three serious players for them," he said.
They were weakened a little bit but to their credit they still played fantastic footy, but we were just good enough to find a way to win.
Sam Iles was the coaches choice as best on ground, with Alik Magin close behind him.
"He (Iles) couldn't play any better I don't reckon. He was everywhere, and without his contribution today the scoreboard would have been completely different," he said.
"I thought Magin was significant as well. He just looked likely in the first half when not many did. He didn't hit the scoreboard today which was the only point of difference from the last couple of games."
Others who played key roles in the victory were Steven May, Michael Coad and Jacob Gillbee.
"(May was) outstanding. He defensively positioned well and read the footy, and took the game on as a key defender."
"Coad played a lot of minutes for someone coming back from injury; his contribution was outstanding."
"Gillbee was better again, he is starting to play the role of a small forward which we have been asking."
The SUNS will take on the Sydney Swans next weekend at Metricon Stadium in a curtain raiser to the SUNS AFL clash with the Swans.
GOLD COAST 4.1 6.4 10.8 15.13 (103)
BRIS LIONS 6.2 11.4 13.8 14.11 (95)
GOALS: Hayden Jolly 2, Jared Ellis 2, Jacob Gillbee 2, Piers Flanagan, Andrew McQualter, Taylor Hine, Josh Fraser, Tom Hickey, Kyal Horsley, Jeremy Taylor, Sam Iles, Henry Schade.
BEST: Sam Iles, Alik Magin, Steven May, Michael Coad, Jeremy Taylor, Kyal Horsley, Jacob Gillbee, Taylor Hine, Hayden Jolly, Andrew McQualter.
