Suns shine after slow start as Saints lose two stars
Roger Vaughan |
Gold Coast have recovered from a slow start to kick clear of St Kilda, missing stars Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Callum Wilkie, for a 29-point AFL win in Darwin.
Wanganeen-Milera was a shock pre-game withdrawal because of leg soreness, while Wilkie was forced off in the second term with a back injury.
Suns key defender Sam Collins was best afield on Saturday night and Ben King kicked four goals in the 13.11 (89) to 8.12 (60) win. The Suns have won their last nine games in Darwin.
Key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan also gave the Suns an injury scare in the last quarter, leaving the field after he jarred a knee in a marking contest.
But he was running without any apparent discomfort after the game.
Wilkie wore a knee to the back from King, putting the 164-game streak of the Saints co-captain in jeopardy.
St Kilda’s ironman has not missed a game since his 2019 debut and rarely leaves the ground.
Gold Coast kicked 12 goals to three after quarter-time in the energy-sapping conditions, with the temperature in the high 20s and plenty of top-end humidity.
After King kicked the opening goal, it was a case of “no Nas, no worries” in the first quarter for the Saints.
They went on a five-goal run and broke out to a 25-point lead at quarter time.
Darcy Wilson had kicked two goals and the Saints were out-pressuring Gold Coast.
But the Suns rebounded quickly, kicking five goals in 11 minutes to wrest back the lead.
Daniel Rioli’s scything run out of defence set up Lachie Weller for their second goal.
Rioli and John Noble were critical to the Suns’ comeback with their ball use and run off half-back, while Collins was imperious and star midfielder Christian Petracca was prominent after a quiet start.
While St Kilda comfortably won the clearances 39-21 for the game, the Suns’ defence was too good – Bodhi Uwland also starred with his intercept marking.
The Saints had their chances in the second term, but sprayed four behinds – the first time this season they had been goalless in a quarter.
King kicked another two goals in the third term and they held a 14-point lead at the last change.
Gold Coast’s Ethan Read left the field in the third quarter because of a knee problem.
Wilson kicked his third goal 18 minutes into the third quarter to break their drought and finished with four, while defender Jack Silvagni was also high among St Kilda’s best.
The Suns will stay in Darwin for next week’s game against Port Adelaide.
AAP