The well-drilled Gold Coast SUNS Reserves ran the ball cleverly for the last three quarters to outpoint Southport by 36 points in front of a good crowd at Sir Bruce Small Park, Benowa on Saturday.

The 18.5 (113) to 11.11 (77) victory took the GC SUNS into a share of second place just behind Mt Gravatt on percentage.

Harley Bennell kicked four goals and won a glut of possession in a brilliant midfield display, while Tayler Hine and Luke Russell rivalled him for best afield honours.Nathan Ablett also produced a lively display for the Gold Coast.

The GC SUNS looked to be in for a battle early when Southport restricted them to an 11-point lead at the first change after Gold Coast kicked with a strong breeze at their backs.

“We were pretty ordinary in the first quarter and played right into their hands,” admitted GC SUNS coach Shaun Hart. “They had players behind the footy and we kicked it to their numbers.”

Hart’s demand to run the ball in the second into the face of the stiff breeze was rewarded with seven goals from his side.

“We were able to run and carry the ball through the corridor a fair bit and get some guys some time and space,” Hart said. “All of a sudden we were six five goals up at half-time going with the breeze (in the third quarter).”

Hart’s young troops are quick learners, as they sewed up the game in the third term with a six-goal-to-three effort.

The GC SUNS carried the ball well from defence to their attacking 50m arc, where they were prepared to take long shots, and missed the major opening just once.

They were down to just two fit men on the bench for the entire second half, and Southport made a run at them with the first three goals of the final term.

“Southport got to within four or five goals and looked like they were going to come over the top of us. But we held possession and the boys toughed it out well, they were very good,” Hart said.

AIS squad member Alex Sexton was prominent as a top-up player for the GC SUNS.

“He’s a good little midfielder-forward,” said Hart, who was also delighted with Hine’s game.

“Tayler had his best game of the year. He has been doing well but he took it to another level today.

”Hart also described defender Jack Hutchins as being ‘fantastic’ in the second term in particular, while he was happy with Ablett’s contribution.

“Nathan was pretty decent - he led up hard and won a lot of the footy,” Hart said.

Hayden Jolly and Joel Wilkinson were also good players for the GC SUNS, who travel to Blacktown for an interesting clash with Greater Western Sydney next weekend.