Melbourne is too strong for Gold Coast Suns in AFL

Melbourne’s premiership class has eclipsed Gold Coast’s valiant attempt, as the Demons defeated the Suns by 13 points in the AFL.

Following their drought-breaking win over West Coast in Perth last weekend, the Suns got out to a quick start at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, but couldn’t keep up with the Demons, who won 12.10 (82) to 10.9 (69) to make it two wins in a row.

Luke Jackson, the Demons’ young star, was everywhere in an eye-catching display, collecting 21 disposals throughout the ground, seven clearances, and striking two goals, one of which was important in the first quarter.

Christian Petracca, a gun midfielder, had a career-high 41 disposals and 14 inside 50s for his club in an usually dominant performance.

Jake Bowey, a teenager, continued his strong start to the AFL season with 34 disposals and nine marks.

For the Demons, Kysaiah Pickett and Ben Brown each scored two goals, while Clayton Oliver (34 disposals and a goal) was also excellent.

Touk Miller, the Gold Coast’s own superstar midfielder, was the standout performer for the visitors.

Recruit On his home debut for the Suns, Levi Casboult scored two goals, while Mabior Chol, another rookie, was active throughout the game, attempting numerous eye-catching passes and kicking a goal after a solid pack-mark before tiring late in the game.

With two goals each, Noah Anderson and Jack Lukosius were the Suns’ other multiple goalkickers.

Despite the late withdrawal of small forward Izak Rankine due to a corked quad, the Suns got off to a quicker start than their more-fancied opponents, scoring the opening 15 points of the game until the Demons took the lead with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter following three late goals.

In the second period, Melbourne stretched their advantage to 16 points, but the Suns fought back to get within two points until another late surge by the Demons put them 14 points up at the major break.

In the third period, the Suns were unable to keep up with Melbourne’s pinpoint finishing, and when Pickett scored his second on the run with a beautiful finish, they had built a game-high 22-point lead at the final change.

Gold Coast was in the game after Anderson’s second goal of the night in the fourth quarter, but the Demons kept their opponents at bay for the closing minutes to secure their 10th straight win against the Suns.

“They’re a good side. They’ve shown through the summer that they’ve changed a bit about how they play and they’re gelling well as a side,” Simon Goodwin, the Demons’ coach, stated.

“So we knew the challenge coming up here to get a result … walk away from this a really happy coach and a happy club in terms of how we got ourselves back into the game.”

Coach Stuart Dew claimed his players were disheartened after falling short against the premiers, indicating the Suns’ altered expectations.

“That’s because we had a real crack at it and didn’t get there,” Dew explained.

“That happens in footy but it would have been nice to get over the line but they were just better in the big moments and more composed, used the ball well under pressure.”

On Friday, Melbourne will host Essendon at the MCG, while Gold Coast will travel to Sydney to face GWS the following Saturday.