A six-goal to zero second quarter was the difference in the Gold Coast SUNS’ reserves loss against Redland at Tidbold Park on Sunday afternoon, with an undermanned Gold Coast side beginning the game strongly, before being blown away in a 30-minute patch.

Josh Fraser’s side consisted of just nine listed players due to the dire state of injury affairs in Carrara at the minute, and the absence of experience and talent was telling.

Tyrone Downie may have been recruited as a forward, but he is beginning to flourish in the middle of the ground after a dominant fortnight. The mature-aged rookie led from the front all day, although he couldn’t drag his side over the line.

The lightly framed Bendigo product gathered a team-high 34 possessions, after being forced to play in the midfield for the second consecutive week out of pure necessity. If his rich vein of form continues, Eade and the match committee may be forced to reward Downie in the back half of the season.

In his return from a dislocated elbow, versatile big man Sam Day showed some encouraging signs. After starting strongly, Day faded as the game wore on, but that was to be expected given the heavy conditions as well as the amount of football he has missed this season.

Zac Smith continued his good form in the ruck to be one of the better performers in the loss to the Bombers. After being dropped following his performance against the West Coast Eagles in round seven, Smith has responded with three strong games in the NEAFL in the last three weeks.

REDLAND 3.5 9.10 11.16 14.18 (102)
GOLD COAST 3.2 3.5 6.5 8.8 (56)

GOALS:

Redland: S Michael 3 L Rogerson 2 B Saunders 2 J Bain M Uebergang S Godfrey M Thomson T Salter P Hunter H Bertoli-Simmonds.
Gold Coast: H Fraser 2 D Gorringe 2 S Day J Butler R Groves A Hall.

BEST:

Redland: M Uebergang P Yagmoor S Miller T Salter B Rees J Smith.
Gold Coast: T Downie Z Smith J Hall S Day D Gorringe H Fraser.