The Gold Coast SUNS have gone down by just five points in a final-quarter thriller against Collingwood in the VFL on Friday night.

The SUNS held a slender one-point lead as the game entered time-on, and it took until the 27th minute of the final quarter for the Pies to kick the winning goal with the final score reading 9.12 (66) to 9.7 (61)

It was a see-sawing contest at Olympic Park in Melbourne, with the SUNS looking a chance to hold on for the win thanks to a pair of early fourth-quarter majors.

Brayden Fiorini kicked a dazzling goal seven minutes into the final term to give the SUNS the lead, feigning a snap-kick before doing a 360 and kicking a marvellous check-side goal deep in the pocket.

A smooth passage of play followed shortly after, engineered by Jeremy Sharp in the back half who showed excellent work-rate to receive the ball back on the run and hit a target, with the play ending with a set shot goal by Alex Davies from 30m directly in front.

But the Pies, who had more inside 50’s on the day, showed grit to run the game out for the win.

Midfielder Will Brodie was arguably the best for the SUNS, finishing with 10 tackles and a game-high 41 disposals, including 14 in the first quarter alone.

He was joined by Fiorini in the midfield who had 32 disposals and eight tackles of his own.

Darcy Macpherson played almost exclusively as a midfielder and also had a strong game for the SUNS, finishing with 34 disposals and nine tackles.

Wingman Rory Atkins was also important, kicking bookended goals in the second quarter to keep the team in the hunt.

Aiden Fyfe had one of his best games for the club in defence alongside Jez McLennan who intercepted well, while SUNS Academy prospects Bodhi Uwland, Bailey Reeves and Will Bella also showed promise.

The SUNS AFL side take on Collingwood at 1:45pm tomorrow at the MCG.

 

FINAL SCORE:
Collingwood                1.4       6.7       7.9       9.12 (66)
Gold Coast SUNS         3.2       5.2       7.5       9.7 (61)

SUNS Goals: Atkins 2, Bella, Reeves, Sharp, Jeffrey, Murtagh, Fiorini, Davies
SUNS Best: Brodie, Macpherson, Fiorini, Davies, McLennan, Sharp