The Gold Coast SUNS went down to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday afternoon by 26 points in their first home and away clash of 2015. Take a look at the media's reaction to the game.
Rodney Eade says team can’t rely on Gary Ablett so much
Gold Coast Bulletin
Neale Grundy
SUNS coach Rodney Eade believes the Suns cannot be considered a serious AFL contender until they learn not to rely so heavily on Gary Ablett.
The SUNS skipper returned to action in Saturday’s humbling 17.13 (115) to 13.11 (89) loss to Melbourne, gathering 19 disposals but was well below his best in his first game back after a left shoulder reconstruction.
Eade told Channel Seven yesterday the club should forget about playing finals until their effort matched their talent.
New-look Melbourne stun Gold Coast Suns
The Age
Emma Quayle
The question also applied to the SUNS, who were far from their usual slick selves and with Tom Lynch missing had no one other than Sam Day to look for moving forward. They began their first challenge early in the second half, winning more contested possessions, moving the ball forward with more urgency and starting to score with a little more ease.
Three goals in a row had them within 12 points by halfway through the third quarter and more players were starting to contribute, but it was then that their other problem started to become more apparent.
For all their attacking, the SUNS weren't simultaneously about to hold Melbourne back when the Demons got the ball. Not enough to make them anywhere anxious enough, anyway. And Melbourne wanted to hold on.
Melbourne defeats Gold Coast by 26 points at MCG
Herald Sun
Bruce Matthews
A MIX of the old and the new helped deliver Melbourne a fighting first-up victory against Gold Coast at the MCG on Saturday.
The Demons, with seven new players, withstood challenges from the SUNS in the second, third and last quarters for the 26-point win.
Two Gary Ablett goals cut the Demons’ lead to just eight points early in the final term as the SUNS threatened to overrun the home team.
Gold Coast’s problems started early when defender Matt Shaw was reported after a late spoiling attempt flattened Melbourne forward Dean Kent after just four minutes.
Shaw’s booking will be compounded by the compulsory Demons medical report to the AFL match review panel that must state Kent, not only was forced off by a small cut to the face, but spent the mandatory 20 minutes on the bench following a concussion test.
Opening round Dee-light as Melbourne stuns Gold Coast
afl.com.au
Nathan Schmook
MELBOURNE has ended a 10-year round one drought, playing with spirit and hardness to beat Gold Coast by 26 points at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
The Demons ruined Gary Ablett's return to football, with the Gold Coast superstar appearing below full fitness after an off-season spent working back from shoulder surgery.
The SUNS' captain, who finished with 19 possessions, tried to turn the game for his team in the final term, kicking brilliant back-to-back goals and cutting the margin to eight points.
