Australian Football

Match Report

The Melbourne renaissance continued on the Gold Coast on Saturday evening, with the Demons thrashing the Suns at Carrara, kicking their highest score since 2004 (and 26th-highest of all time) - 24.16.160 - in the process. The final margin of 73 points could have been greater had it not been for Gold Coast's very accurate goal-kicking, the Suns finishing with 14.3. The match was even for the first half, but the Demons blew the game apart with a nine-goal-to-three third quarter, and then hammered home their advantage in the final term, kicking another seven goals to three to win in a canter.

Gold Coast had the better of the early exchanges and first-gamer Darcy MacPherson, sun of former Bulldog Steve, got his career off to a perfect start with a goal at the four-minute mark to put the Suns six points ahead. A near-miracle goal from Jeff Garlett on the boundary had scores level at the 10-minute mark but the Sun edged ahead again when Tom Lynch scored his first five minutes later. Another Garlett - the Suns' Jarrod - kicked a major not long after and the Suns led by 12. When Lynch kicked his second at the 20-minute mark, Gold Coast was three goals clear and looking the much better side. A late goal from Max Gawn, however, had the Demons back within 11 at quarter time.

Jesse Hogan's first at the two-minute mark of the second term had Melbourne back within five points but a mark and goal to Jarrad Grant two minutes later had the Suns' lead back out to 11. The Demons gradually worked their way back into the match after that, and majors to Dom Tyson and Billy Stretch saw them hit the front after 10 minutes. Jarrod Garlett's second restored the Suns' lead and Lynch's third and fourth goals had them ahead by 13 points early in time on but three in a row to Melbourne from Nathan Jones, Gawn and Dean Kent saw the Demons pinch a five-point lead at the long break.

The last few minutes of the second term proved to be a sign of what was to come in the third. The Demons added five goals straight in the first 11 minutes - two to Jack Viney and the lead was suddenly 35 points. The Suns fought back to a degree after that, but Melbourne still kicked another four goals to three for the remainder of the term to lead by 44 points at the last change. They went on their merry way in the last quarter, adding another 7.5 to 3.0 and finished 73 points clear, running away.

Max Gawn continued his fine season, collecting 46 hitouts and 17 disposals, while Viney (24 touches and two goals) was also excellent. For the Suns, Lunch was a standout with his 16 possessions and four goals.

Melbourne has a 4-3 record and is knocking on the door of the eight. The Demons will meet the Bulldogs (fourth, 5-2) in what should be a very interesting match at the MCG on Sunday. The Suns have slipped to 11th place with their fourth loss in a row and will have to improve massively to have any chance against GWS at the Sydney Showground on Saturday.

GOALS
Gold Coast: Lynch 4; Ablett, Garlett, Wright 2; Currie, Grant, Hall, MacPherson
Melbourne: Garlett, Harmes, Pedersen 3; Gawn, Jones, Kennedy, Petracca, Viney 2; Hogan, Kent, Stretch, Tyson, Vince

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Gold Coast: Lynch, Day, Saad, Miller, Harbrow
Melbourne: Gawn, Viney, Jones, Harmes, Vince, Oliver, Bugg

BEST - BRISBANETIMES.COM.AU
Gold Coast: Lynch, Day, Harbrow, Saad
Melbourne: Viney, Gawn, Jones, Vince, Harmes, Kennedy

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Rosa (hamstring), Sexton (forearm)
Melbourne: Nil

UMPIRES: Harris, Stephens, Schmitt

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Matt Granland, Brett Phillips, Alastair Lynch, Jonathan Brown, Barry Hall