Despite winning two out of the four quarters against North Melbourne on Saturday, a seven-goal opening term to the Kangaroos was ultimately the difference between the two sides.

Shaky start:

It was always going to be tough for Gold Coast to fight its way back after giving up seven first-quarter goals to the Kangaroos. It’s an uncharacteristic start to a match for the SUNS who have won six of their first quarters this year, and drawn one.

What is usually a strength of the SUNS turned into a weakness on this occasion, and the 35-point margin was too much to overcome. What was pleasing was the team’s ability to dig in and win the remaining three quarters (as a whole), with the final margin being reduced to 27 points. The SUNS are yet to put together a complete four-quarter performance this year but will be striving to do so this weekend. 

Brayden and Brodie:

Brayden Fiorini and Will Brodie combined for 61 disposals on the night. In perhaps a sign of the future for the club, the two worked in tandem in the midfield and were amongst the most influential for the SUNS.

Brodie worked hard to get into space, taking nine marks and was also strong defensively with nine tackles. Fiorini had 32 disposals and took six marks as well. Together the pair combined for 10 clearances. Fiorini and Brodie are just 21 and 20 years-old respectively but held their own against the likes of Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell in North’s midfield. They were a couple of shining lights in the loss and will give SUNS fans plenty to cheer about in the years to come.