A masterclass by Devon Smith has helped Greater Western Sydney secure a 15-point win over a battling Gold Coast.
The Giants rallied late in the final term to overcome a Gary Ablett-inspired SUNS and claim a 13.16 (94) to 12.7 (79) win at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
It's Greater Western Sydney’s ninth win of the season and will ensure it stays in the top eight for at least another week.
Smith was the gamebreaker for the visitors, booting four goals - including three in the final term - as the Giants pulled away in the closing minutes.
"Devon's such a competitor. He's a huge part of our footy club. It was pleasing he stood up in that last quarter when we needed him,” Cameron said of Smith.
"I like our boys playing these sorts of games.
"It doesn't come easy and they've got to understand, they've got to be patient, they've got to show composure, they've got to communicate, things they wouldn't have even thought about when they were playing Under-16s, Under-18s.
Key forward Jeremy Cameron, Rory Lobb and Callan Ward both kicked two goals for the Giants while Ward topped the visitors' disposals count with 30.
Ablett also picked up 30 disposals for the SUNS and notched up a career-high 17 tackles.
The dual Brownlow medallist also kicked three goals including a brilliant individual effort in the second quarter where he smothered a Giants' kick inside their defensive 50m before regathering and grubbering through the goal.
"People talk about his leadership, I don't want to bang on too much about it but he's really grown in that area," SUNS coach Rodney Eade said of Ablett.
"His ability and willingness now to direct his teammates and demand more from his teammates and they're happy to demand more from him, I thought he led from the front today in that area.
"Having 17 tackles ... just shows he's not just an offensive player."
Touk Miller was also impressive for the hosts, kicking two goals and posting 27 disposals.
Alex Sexton and Brandon Matera kicked two goals for the SUNS, who will be happy with their effort but remain stuck on just two wins for the season.
The SUNS lost ruckman Tom Nicholls early to a leg injury while Giants midfielder Buntine missed most of the final term after being knocked out in a sickening head clash with Gold Coast's Sam Day.
GOLD COAST 4.1 7.4 8.4 12.7 (79)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 6.4 7.9 8.15 13.16 (94)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Ablett 3, Miller 2, Sexton 2, Matera 2, Hallahan, Lynch, Smith
Greater Western Sydney: Smith 4, Lobb 2, Cameron 2, Ward 2, McCarthy, Downie, Palmer
BEST
Gold Coast: Miller, Ablett, May, Smith, Kolodjashnij, Sexton
Greater Western Sydney: Smith, Ward, Shaw, Scully, Tomlinson, Kelly
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nicholls (leg)
Greater Western Sydney: Buntine (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Josh Glenn replaced Tom Nicholls at quarter time
Greater Western Sydney: Curtly Hampton replaced Cam McCarthy in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Brown, Mitchell
Official crowd: 9,589 at Metricon Stadium
