The NEAFL SUNS have suffered their second loss in as many weeks, going down by 18 points to reigning premiers Northern Territory Thunder at Metricon Stadium today.

The SUNS were slow out of the blocks, and were lucky to be only trailing by 10 points at quarter time as the Thunder kicked an innacurate 2.7 for the quarter.

The game opened up in the second quarter, as the SUNS managed six goals to the Thunder’s four to take a narrow two point lead.

The match was effectively decided in the third quarter, when the Thunder kicked four goals and kept the SUNS goalless and opening up a decisive 21 point lead.

Try as they might in the last quarter, the SUNS couldn’t quite bridge the gap and eventually succumbed 13.14 (92) to 10.14 (74).

SUNS NEAFL coach Shaun Hart was glowing in his praise for the Thunder.

“They (the Thunder) were a very good side today,” he said.

“We expect our guys to always be able to compete, because we are on an AFL list.”

“But today was a real match-up of two pretty quality teams. It was probably just the third quarter that let us down.”

Hart conceded that the tough slog against Labrador six days earlier was more than likely a factor in the SUNS performance after half time.

“We had a six day break, and coming up against a quick team, we asked a big effort of them (the boys) in the final quarter and they couldn’t quite give it,” he said.

“We had about 10 entries (in the forward 50) in the third quarter and about six of them went straight to the opposition.”

“Without a doubt they tried, but unfortunately we couldn’t quite finish off our work.”

 The SUNS cause was not helped by a controversial deliberate rushed behind free kick awarded against defender Michael Coad in the last quarter when the SUNS had closed the gap to 14 points. The subsequent goal to the Thunder left many observers scratching their head, including Hart.

“I would love an interpretation of it because that (rule) is so confusing,” he said.

“The general public and the football world thinks if you are under pressure you have an entitlement to take the ball through. And he (Coad) was definitely under pressure.”

“But we are hearing a little bit about prior opportunity in that situation and obviously that is involved in the interpretation.”

“I am obviously not fully up with it (the interpretation) and I think a lot of footballers and coaches may not be either.”

Coad earned special praise from Hart for his job on curtailing the Thunder’s goal kicking ace Darren Ewing.

“He was our best without a doubt,” he said.

“He did an unbelievably good job and we probably didn’t get him forward quickly enough in the last quarter to give us an opportunity to win it.”

“He was just fantastic all day.”

Alik Magin also continued his great start to the season, defying his height to take plenty of telling marks.

“He has always been known to be able to jump and his ability to launch and mark above his head,” said Hart.

“He was in our best six today.”

Jaegar O’Meara, who was rested from last weeks match, was another who performed admirably, without being outstanding.

“It was probably typical of what we think of Jaegar and his ability,” said Hart.

“He was terrific, but I didn’t necessarily notice him really break the game open like he does.”

Hart was also impressed with the efforts of Taylor Hine, Tom Hickey and Jeremy Taylor.

“I thought Taylor Hine was good again down back. He didn’t necessarily play a lot of the offensive stuff but his defence was fantastic.”

“Tom Hickey was good in the ruck, his palming and strength in the ruck was much better than it has been.”

“Jeremy Taylor was outstanding, probably our second best player. He normally plays half back but he was awesome from go to woah today.”

Next week the SUNS head to Canberra to take on new boys the GWS Giants, and Hart said the club was determined to have both the NEAFL and AFL side victorious.

“We will be really keen to have two wins for the Gold Coast Suns next week against the Giants.”

“We won’t want to come back with anything less than that.”

GOLD COAST        1.3           7.5           7.9           10.14 (74)

NT THUNDER       2.7           6.9           10.12     13.14 (92)

GOALS: Fraser 2, Gillbee, Hickey, A.Hall, N.Ellis, J.Macansh, Taylor, McQualter, Magin.

BEST: Coad, Taylor, McQualter, Magin, Hine, O’Meara, Stanley, Hickey.