The impressive shape of GOLD Coast continued after Fremantle was defeated by 13 points in arm wrestling on Saturday night at Metricon Stadium.
The scores were the same at three-quarters before the suns were released from the border thanks to a crazy Jack Lukosius goal and another quick snapshot of Ben Ainsworth.
The result of 10.4 (64) to 8.3 (51) was the third consecutive win for the Suns and does not yet see the Dockers welcomed in 2020. With major concerns over Nat Fyfe’s fitness after the Brownlow medalist injured his Achilles tendon late in his third term.
SUNS SHINE AGAIN Full game coverage and statistics
In a tight squeeze, Gold Coast came alive with five quick goals in a row in the second quarter, scoring three goals ahead, while Freo took a nap in an entertaining first half without a gap from either team.
Matt Rowell was again the star of the show for the Suns, ending with 20 departures and two goals in another best-on-ground performance.
Expect a busy Sunday for the Match Review Officer after emotions overwhelmed in a half-time melee between the two teams and Dockers striker Matt Taberner tore his sweater to pieces.
Gold Coast will face Geelong at GMHBA for the first time this season, while Fremantle will face Adelaide at Metricon on Sunday.
Goalkicking master class issued
The goalkicking training paid off this week as both the suns and the dockers were on fire in front of the big sticks. Neither team got the referees on the move in the first half, with brilliant snapshots and clutch sets. After 13 goals in a row, Sun Sam Day was the first flaw in the AFL record after hitting the post just three minutes after the beginning of third term before Docker followed Jesse Hogan with a poster a few minutes later.
The glowing Rowell does it again
It’s hard to believe that this was just Matt Rowell’s fourth AFL game. Last year’s number 1 proves that its glowing shape was no accident, and it shaped the game in the first few seconds against two-time Brownlow medalist Fyfe. The young Sun shrugged effortlessly, scoring 20 exits and two goals, including another classic finish on his opposite left foot as the Suns bagged five consecutive times in the second season.
Superstar Skipper suffers from a thigh injury
The dockers will sweat on scans for Fyfe, whose night ended early with an injury to the right Achilles tendon. Fyfe stopped shortly before the end of the third quarter and went to the bank, where he immediately put ice on his hamstring. The Dockers captain had a quiet outing by his high standards and ended with only 11 exits.
GOLDEN COAST 2.0 7.0 8.2 10.4 (64)
FREMANTLE 3.0 6.0 8.2 8.3 (51)
GATES
Gold coast: King 2, sexton 2, Rowell 2, Ainsworth 2, day, Lukosius
Fremantle: Walters 2, Bewley 2, Schultz, Taberner, Matera, Tucker
BEST
Gold coast: Rowell, Ellis, Witts, Miller, Lukosius, Ainsworth
Fremantle: Tucker, Walters, Taberner, Young, Bewley, Hogan
INJURIES
Gold coast: zero
Fremantle: Fyfe (right Achilles tendon)
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