In a hotly contested affair at the Gabba, the Gold Coast SUNS couldn’t capitalise on opportunities to overcome finals-destined Collingwood on Monday night.

With three Alex Sexton goals early in the first quarter, the Suns jumped out to a 12-point lead, but Collingwood overturned a deficit at the stoppages and cranked up the pressure to arrest momentum and eventually win 10.8 (68) to 6.10 (46). 

The dew was a factor in the match, with clean skills and scoring opportunities at a premium due to the slipperiness of the ball and ground. 

Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey was the difference in the match, kicking four goals to ensure the Magpies will finish in the top eight for a third-straight year. 

Alongside Sexton, Young SUN Wil Powell had a standout match, winning 22 disposals in the backline, including a game-high eight intercept possessions, while also hauling in six marks. 

In the midfield it was Touk Miller (22 disposals, nine tackles) and Lachie Weller (23 disposals, five clearances) who kept the SUNS surging forward. 

But ultimately Gold Coast looked rushed going inside 50 and butchered a number of valuable scoring opportunities.

The club has six days until its final match of the season, taking on Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval next Sunday.
  

COLLINGWOOD        2.2       4.5       7.5       10.8 (68)
GOLD COAST             3.1       3.5       5.6       6.10 (46)

GOALS
Collingwood: De Goey 4, Cox 2, T.Brown, Crisp, Hoskin-Elliott, Mihocek
Gold Coast: Sexton 3, Corbett, King, Swallow

BEST
Collingwood: De Goey, Treloar, Quaynor, Crisp, Daicos, Noble, Cox
Gold Coast: Powell, Weller, Miller, Sexton, Bowes

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil

Gold Coast: Lemmens (corked thigh)