The heavy artillery of the Gold Coast SUNS Reserves forward line shot down the Redland Bombers and probably wrecked their finals hopes in the first ever NEAFL game at Leyshon Park, Yeronga yesterday.
Nathan Ablett, Liam Patrick and Jack Stanley booted four goals each and big Daniel Gorringe contributed three as the GC SUNS careered to a 19.13 (127) to 11.15 (81) victory.
Redland did throw down a serious challenge at the start of the third quarter befitting of a side with its season on the line, drawing to within five points.
But the GC SUNS kicked the last three goals of the quarter and next six in total to ice the game.
“We really got challenged in the third quarter and the way the boys steadied was fantastic,” said GC SUNS assistant coach Andy Lovell.
“It was a very even team performance and we found it hard to single out any players when we had to pick our best six after the game.”
The GC SUNS booted four of the first five goals and led by 26 points at the first change, before Scott Clouston went into the ruck and helped Redland reign in the margin to three goals at the long break.
Regular ruckman-forward Rory Thompson had done an excellent job opposed to Clouston at centre-half-back in the first quarter, teaming superbly with flanker Seb Tape.
Patrick was electric in the first half in particular, weaving his way through the midfield and goalling on the run on a number of occasions. He also took one spectacular mark on the wing.
Ablett looked dangerous all day, although he was starved of the ball in the opening 15 minutes of the third quarter when Redland made their run.
Phil Carse generated plenty of ball as the Bombers began to dominate the clearances and Tom Salter was also strong.
But the Bombers were left to rue a string of easy opportunities in front of goal, butchering 2.7.
They were inevitably hit on the counter-attack and the momentum quickly swung back the other way.
With Joey Daye and Harley Bennell picking up in the midfield and Alik Magin and Marc Lock doing their bit, the GC SUNS were clinical in their execution.
Redland would have been in even more trouble but for the efforts of defender Rowan Page. The 19-year-old from Springwood took a number of strong marks throughout the day and looks to have a bright future at Victoria Point.
Adam Boon tried hard and bobbed up with two goals, while Jesse Dixon also worked overtime in defence.
A solid crowd of 800 to 1000 people watched the occasion in glorious sunshine, before the lights were turned on at halftime to light up the new showpiece facilities of Queensland football.
