The Suns will have a golden chance to push into the top-eight mix when they take on finals contenders Adelaide in what will be Gold Coast’s second straight match in Darwin.
The Suns (5-6, 97.2%) have won four of their past six games, with their defence improving dramatically since the first five rounds.
But the Crows (6-5, 108.7%) will come into the match with ample confidence after an impressive win over flag contenders Brisbane last week.
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This match gets underway at 7.30pm (AEST) from TIO Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 503) from 7.25pm.
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
There were no late changes to either side with Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast) and Ned McHenry (Adelaide) named as the starting tactical substitutes for their respective sides.
There was drama an hour and a half before the bounce with a fire alarm going off, causing an whole venue evacuation onto the playing surface at TIO Stadium.
Thankfully it was a false alarm and the game commenced on time.
The Suns got off to the perfect start through Levi Casboult who received a pinpoint pass from Nick Holman who found him and another Suns teammate in space. After going goalless last week against the Bulldogs, Casboult converted to get the Suns off to a big start.
Suns midfielder Noah Anderson, who is enjoying a breakout season was again busy early in proceedings despite the attention of a Ben Keays tag. With the Crows looking to nullify his impact despite Anderson’s early impact with three touches in the opening minutes.
“He’s happy to start at the source and then be proactive. He’s having a big influence early” Hawthorn legend Ben Dixon remarked on Fox Footy.
The Crows clicked into gear soon after with five unanswered goals. The first through Reilly O’Brien grabbing an opportunity out of the ruck converted from a boundary throw in.
Crows skipper Jordan Dawson followed up soon after with a trademark running goal on his left foot, set sailing from just inside 50.
“He’s done this a number of times” Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy said.
“Beautiful kick as we’ve come to expect from Jordan Dawson.”
The Crows were kicking away but were not without concerns as defender Tom Doedee hobbled to the bench with a suspected knee injury.
He was assessed in the rooms and attempted some run throughs on the boundary before he was subbed out of the game before quarter time, activating Ned McHenry into the game for the Crows.
Joel Jeffrey pegged back a much needed goal for the Suns from long range. Swinging around onto his left boot from inside the centre square. The ball cleared the back of a pack of players before trickling through for a goal to stop the run of Crows goals.
“Bizzare, but beautiful in the end” Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell said.
Gerard Healy added – “That’s a great goal.”
The Suns had their chances to hit back but were wayward in front of goals with some easy chances going begging as the Crows continued to be accurate in front of goals with Ben Keays kicking Adelaide’s sixth goal just before the first break.
The Crows took a 21 point lead, 6.1 (37) – 2.4 (16) lead into the first change.
“They’re slightly off at the moment the Suns, It needs to be addressed” Healy said at the first change.
The Crows picked up where they left off in the second quarter, suffocating the Suns with their pressure and toughness and extending their lead on the scoreboard as Taylor Walker and Wayne Milera kicked truly to extend the lead.
“The Crows are in a mood” Fox Footy commentator Kelli Underwood said.
Suns hit back through Jack Lukosious and Noah Anderson before Bailey Humphrey delighted the Darwin crowd yet again to make it three goals in a row for the Suns and breathe life back into the contest.
“He’s not just good, he’s a superstar this kid” Dwayne Russell said as the ball sailed through for a goal to draw the Suns within three goals.
“We’ve got ourselves a young star in the making” Gerard Healy added.
“Good on you young fella, you’ve lit the game up.”
The three late goals from the Suns saw them head into the main break behind but with all the momentum. Trailing the Crows by 17 points at the main break, 8.4 (32) – 5.5 (35).
The Suns continued their momentum after the main break with the opening four goals of the half to take the lead. Jack Lukosius’ second goal was the Suns’ seventh goal in a row.
“Now we’ve got a challenge and the challenge is on the Crows because the Suns have produced their best” Healy said on Fox Footy
“They look the side we expected them to be.”
Ben King’s second goal and Jack Lukosius’ third goal extended the lead for the Suns.
“The game has flipped.” Dwayne Russell said.
Crows livewire Josh Rachele broke the run of Gold Coast goals when he was hit up in space by Darcy Fogarty and converted a much needed goal for the visitors.
The Crows kicked the last three goals of the quarter to trim the deficit to just four points with Ben Keays and Darcy Fogarty kicking goals inside the last minute of the quarter to set up a big finish in the top end. The Suns holding a slender 11.10 (76) – 11.6 (72) lead.
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