GOLD Coast has landed the biggest scalp of its short existence with a seven-point win over Collingwood at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
The 13.7 (85) to 11.12 (78) victory is the first time the SUNS have beaten a top-eight team in their three years.
In the process it dents the Magpies' slim top-four aspirations and leaves them battling with Richmond for sixth.
The SUNS led at every change and deserved their victory in front of 19,721 fans.
Collingwood got within three points early in the last quarter, but the SUNS steadied through goals to Jared Brennan and captain Gary Ablett to win their sixth game of the season.
Ablett was at his prolific and inspirational best, finishing with an amazing 49 disposals and two goals.
GOLD Coast has landed the biggest scalp of its short existence with a seven-point win over Collingwood at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
The 13.7 (85) to 11.12 (78) victory is the first time the SUNS have beaten a top-eight team in their three years.
In the process it dents the Magpies' slim top-four aspirations and leaves them battling with Richmond for sixth.
The SUNS led at every change and deserved their victory in front of 19,721 fans.
Collingwood got within three points early in the last quarter, but the SUNS steadied through goals to Jared Brennan and captain Gary Ablett to win their sixth game of the season.
Ablett was at his prolific and inspirational best, finishing with an amazing 49 disposals and two goals.
Despite having 27 touches in the first half, the Magpies decided to not tag the Brownlow medallist and he took full advantage.
He had 10 clearances and was damaging forward of centre being involved in a number of goals, as well as kicking two.
Magpies tagger Brent Macaffer ran with Trent McKenzie and was soundly beaten as the SUNS' half-back grabbed 24 touches.
In the same week as he extended his contract until the end of 2016, Rising Star favourite Jaeger O'Meara was superb again.
The 19-year-old had 23 touches, kicked three goals and laid eight tackles.
Harley Bennell, Jarrod Harbrow and Jared Brennan (three goals) were also influential for the victors who host Carlton at Metricon next Saturday.
Collingwood jumped from the blocks but could not capitalise during a dominant first quarter as Travis Cloke (twice) and Tyson Goldsack (once) hit the woodwork.
Cloke was wasteful during the first half, kicking four behinds and missing everything from five first-half shots on goal.
He finished with two goals as SUNS defender Rory Thompson was hobbled with a third quarter ankle injury.
Thompson briefly went off but returned.
GOLD COAST SUNS 3.4 7.6 11.7 13.7 (85)
COLLINGWOOD 2.7 6.9 8.10 11.12 (78)
GOALS
Gold Coast SUNS: O'Meara 3, Brennan 3, Day 2, Ablett 2, Harbrow, Tape, Prestia
Collingwood: Cloke 2, Elliott 2, Swan 2, Dwyer, Sidebottom, Goldsack, Beams, Seedsman
BEST
Gold Coast SUNS: Ablett, O'Meara, Harbrow, McKenzie, Bennell, Stanley, Nicholls
Collingwood: Beams, Swan, Sinclair, Williams,
INJURIES
Gold Coast SUNS: Rory Thompson (ankle)
Collingwood: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast SUNS: Alex Sexton replaced Josh Hall in the last quarter
Collingwood: Caolan Mooney replaced Andrew Krakouer in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Hosking, Kamolins, Jeffery
Official crowd: 19,721 at the Metricon Stadium
