The Gold Coast SUNS VFL side took on local rivals Southport Sharks in a practice match at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In a strong opening quarter for the SUNS, midfielder Brayden Fiorini opened the scoring for the with a check side goal from 30m out on a slight angle.

One of the highlights of the first half saw Hewago Paul Oea with a gut busting effort from inside his own half before an exchange with Jy Farrar saw him through on goal and slotting it on the run from 30m out.

Four goals in each of the first two quarters and the SUNS took a 26-point lead into half time.

The Sharks came out strongly in the third but didn’t make it count on the scoreboard kicking 2.5 to 1.0 in the third quarter.

The final quarter saw the SUNS side get back to their best kicking six goals to one to finish 46-point victors as they prepare for they look to finalise preparations leading into the start of the VFL fixture on the 17th April.

Speaking to SUNS Media post game, VFL Head Coach Tate Kaesler said the side would need to focus on ensuring they performed across all four quarters.

“I thought the first half was a pretty even contest,” Kaesler said.

“The third quarter we let ourselves down a bit around the way we wanted to play in terms of our contest work and our ability to keep pressure on the opposition.”

“To the players credit we challenged them at three quarter time, and they responded really well.

“It was the best quarter of footy that we played the last quarter but again, we’ve just got to keep working on those little parts of our game.”

Jarrod Harbrow, Jy Farrar, Hewago Paul Oea and Chris Burgess all impressed throughout the game.

Jacob Townsend, Brayden Fiorini, Hewago Paul Oea and Jy Farrar all kicked two goals each for the day whilst Josh Corbett finished with three.

Pleasingly for SUNS fans, Rory Atkins got through his first official hit out in the red and gold, playing all four quarters predominantly on the wing but also spent time on the inside as he continues to build.

Final Score SUNS 15.3.93 v Sharks 06.11.47

Goals: Corbett 3, Fiorini, Townsend, Farrar, Hewago Paul Oea, Chris Burgess 2, Sharp and Reeves

Best: Harbrow, Graham, Burgess, Oea, Farrar