GOLD Coast has completed its perfect 10 in Darwin, holding off Yartapuulti to win by 25-points on Friday night and continue an unbeaten five seasons in the Top End.
The Power trailed by 40 points midway through the final quarter, but momentarily breathed life into the contest with three quick goals before the Suns steadied courtesy of Jed Walter’s third major to win 15.8 (98) to 10.13 (73).
For Damien Hardwick’s team, it was their seventh win of the season, moving them into the top four, and 10th from 10 matches at TIO Stadium since taking home games north in 2022.
The victory was more meritorious given they played the second half minus Lachie Weller (hamstring) and Will Graham (concussion) in the typically stifling conditions.
Captain Noah Anderson was fabulous, back to his ball-hunting best with 33 disposals that included eight clearances.
He not only won the ball at the source, but was the ideal link player between Gold Coast’s superb defensive unit and its lively forward line.
Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell (23 and six clearances) was strong on return from an ankle injury, but for the third straight week it was the back seven that caught the eye.
Sam Collins was a brute in minimising the influence of Mitch Georgiades, while Mac Andrew continued his fine form, as did Bodhi Uwland and John Noble, who both finished with 31 disposals and a goal.
After relinquishing the lead midway through the second quarter, Gold Coast put the foot down with five quick goals before half-time to blow the game open.
Walter and ruckman Ned Moyle (three goals apiece) were strong forward targets on a night when Coleman Medal leader Ben King was restricted to just a solitary major.
The Power played in bursts, opening the second term with three quick goals to snatch the lead, but often faded in the dying stages of quarters.
Zak Butters (35) was his usual prolific self, while Jase Burgoyne (28), Joe Berry (19 and two goals) and Joe Richards (3.2 from 15 touches) were also strong contributors.
Both teams set a cracking pace in the early going, and although it wasn’t always the slickest footy, it was highly entertaining.
Ewan Mackinlay kicked a stunning early goal when he beat Noble to a contested ball, shrugged off Rowell, took two bounces and banged home a long-range goal from close to 50m.
Gold Coast steadied with some wonderful play from two of its youngest players.
Leo Lombard curled through a wonderful right foot snap and then kicked a 50m bullet on to the chest for a King goal, before Lachie Gulbin finished the quarter with a superb snap from the left forward pocket.
The Power’s fleet-footed forwards turned the game after quarter-time, with Berry, Corey Durdin, Mackinlay and Richards all kicking truly to give them the lead.
The Suns lost Weller and Graham to injury, but it seemed sparked them into action, piling on five unanswered goals to take a 27-point lead to half-time.
GOLD COAST 5.2. 11.3 14.6 15.8 (98)
YARTAPUULTI 2.4 6.6 7.8 10.13 (73)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Moyle 3, Walter 3, Z.Uwland, B.Uwland, Petracca, Noble, Lombard, King,
Yartapuulti: Richards 3, Mackinlay 2, Berry 2, Georgiades, Farrell, Durdin
BEST
Gold Coast: Anderson, Collins, Noble, Andrew, Rowell, B.Uwland, Moyle
Yartapuulti: Butters, Burgoyne, Berry, Drew, Richards, Ratugolea,
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Weller (hamstring), Graham (concussion)
Yartapuulti: Jones (concussion)
LATE CHANGES
Gold Coast: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (ankle) replaced by Jarrod Witts
Yartapuulti: Nil
Crowd: TBC at TIO Stadium
