We’re on the board for 2023 with a 19-point win over defending premiers Geelong at Heritage Bank Stadium.

We look at some of the key takeaways from the contest thanks to SIXT.

Luko’s 73-metre bomb

It’d be amiss to not talk about Jack Lukosius’s impact inside forward 50, and then the centre square in part in the last quarter. The versatile tall kicked a game-high five majors, most notably with two late in the last quarter, including one from deep inside the centre square.

Few noticed that Touk Miller appeared to win the toss and kick into the wind in the opening term – a masterstroke that just might have given Lukosius the extra metre or two he needed in the last term. 

Where there’s a Wil

Returning for the first time since Round 14 last season, Wil Powell provided much-needed composure and experience, finishing with 15 touches and a pair of tackles. Similarly in his second game back, Lachie Weller led all comers with 29 disposals slingshotting off half-back.

Bruised & battered Freckle

There’d be few players in the league harder at the ball than Nick Holman. Not for the first time, he left the field bandaged and bruised after a strong collision with Geelong’s Sam De Koning but still managed to stamp his authority on the game with eight score involvements – a stat only bettered by Lukosius. 

SUNS contested work

The SUNS not only took the contest to the reigning premier, but went one better, finishing +24 for contested possessions, led by Matt Rowell who has shot out of the gates in 2023. He had a game-high 18 contested possessions – seven more than any Cat – while Touk Miller, Levi Casboult and Noah Anderson, Jy Farrar and Darcy Macpherson all won plenty of ball at the contest.

 Did it for Dave

In his 200th AFL match, the SUNS secured a memorable victory and handed the defending premiers an unwanted piece of history. All the more impressive, the milestone man battled through a dislocated finger in the win.

VFL records tumble

In Sunday morning’s curtain raiser, the SUNS VFL squad put Geelong to the sword recording both its largest VFL score and largest VFL victory with a 28.14.182 to 11.9.75 107-point demolition.

The SUNS had 11 individual goalkickers led by Brodie McLaughlin with six majors alongside Sam Day and Chris Burgess who both kicked six each.

Sean Lemmens and Mac Andrew both played their first matches of 2023 and looked assured across half-back.