Gold Coast and Essendon played out an incredible draw at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday night.
Both sides looked likely winners in the thrilling finale, but Izak Rankine had the chance to seal victory with a set shot from just beyond 50m.
He failed to score and then some desperate defending left the scores tied at 11.7 (73) apiece.
It was the second draw of the season and leaves Essendon two points outside the top eight.
The result was another heartbreaker for Gold Coast who lost to St Kilda by four points last start and the Western Bulldogs by five two matches earlier.
Essendon trailed by 18 points three minutes into the last quarter after Lachie Weller kicked his second goal but they finished full of running.
Veteran David Zaharakis kicked two clutch goals midway through the term before limping off with a quadricep injury and Kyle Langford gave his team the lead with a late set shot.
Zach Merrett topped the ball-winners with 31 disposals, while Andrew McGrath had 19 at half-time but was quelled by a Touk Miller tag thereafter to finish with 26.
For the Suns Brandon Ellis, Hugh Greenwood and Weller all finished with 18 touches.
Rankine dazzles yet again
Every week Gold Coast's rising star does something jaw-dropping and Wednesday night was no exception. Despite his late miss, he still offered plenty of highlights. After caressing a goal from 50m early in the second quarter, he unleashed a two-minute burst that had everyone shaking their heads. Rankine roved a forward 50 stoppage but missed the quick kick at goal before seconds later mowing down Adam Saad from behind to force a turnover. He then sharked another forward 50 stoppage yet somehow missed the relatively straightforward snap from 30m.
Bombers shoot themselves in the foot
Essendon will be cursing its lack of attention to detail. Despite matching or shading the Suns in most statistical categories, the Bombers trailed by 19 at half-time and most of it was their own doing. They casually watched on as David Swallow handballed to a nearby Lachie Weller – a noted long-range specialist - following a mark. Weller kicked the goal. They also inexplicably gave Izak Rankine 15m of space that cost a goal, and on the stroke of half-time conceded a 50m penalty to Jack Bowes for running through the protected zone. Again, a goal.
GOLD COAST 3.1 7.4 9.5 (59) 11.7 (73)
ESSENDON 1.3 4.3 7.5 (47) 11.7 (73)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Weller 2, King 2, Day 2, Ainsworth, Bowes, Fiorini, Greenwood, Rankine
Essendon: Stewart 3, Zaharakis 3, Langford 2, Bellchambers, Cutler, Snelling
BEST
Gold Coast: Weller, Bowes, Ballard, Ellis, Greenwood
Essendon: Ridley, McGrath, Stewart, Merrett, Shiel, Parish
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Essendon: Zaharakis (quad)
