The fresh legs of the Gold Coast SUNS ran rampant in the last 15 minutes to kick the last five goals of the game and notch their first win of the NEAFL season against Aspley.
After fading in their opening two matches, the GC SUNS showed they were fast learners by breaking open a close contest to win 16.16 (112) to 11.13 (79).
The GC SUNS booted 12 goals to three after halftime and 11 of the last 13 goals of the match.
They over-possessed the ball badly in the first half, which led to too many turnovers, but were more precise in the second as it was the Hornets’ turn to make crucial mistakes.
Aspley’s discipline evaporated when the game was at its hottest, conceding two vital 50m penalties that resulted in goals after the GC SUNS led by just four points at the 17 minute mark of the last quarter.
The GC SUNS win was built around their willingness to run in numbers, both with the overlap and to the contest.
They constantly outnumbered the Hornets during the second half and had a solid forward target in Sam Day.
Day booted all four of his goals before three-quarter-time and had a hand in a number of others.
Sam Isles was a ball magnet all day and continued his bright start to the season, while Tom Nicholls was the best big man on the ground.
The GC SUNS also received great service from Liam Patrick, whose sublime skills resulted in a number of scores and his electrifying speed lifted his teammates.
Patrick has the early contender for goal of the season after running onto a ball up from outside the centre square, beating three opponents, stepping another, and drilling a tough set shot into the teeth of the breeze from 40 metres.
So good were the GC SUNS that they booted 7.1 to 1.3 at the non-scoring end against the wind in the final term.
Aspley skipper Robert Copeland was best afield to halftime, comprehensively beating Nathan Ablett and setting up several goals with pin-point long kicks from defence.
Ablett was able to drag Copeland back to the goalsquare more often in the second half.
Jamie Sheahan was outstanding for the Hornets in the first half as well, although he appeared sore late in the game.
Aspley also had to play outstanding midfielder Matt Shir forward for much of the second half, with the gamebreaker having a calf heavily strapped.
Steve Brittain was strong through much of the game, James Linton did some good things and Sam Stavenuiter gave a physical presence in the ruck before tiring.
Aspley coach Russell Evans was more than happy with his side’s opening hour but was most disappointed with the second.
The Hornets have been competitive in all three games against the NT, Broadbeach and Gold Coast SUNS without winning.
“The first two games…the second last week we worked our way into the game really well and worked hard all day. We were short on the bench at a critical time of the game,” Evans said.
“For me, the second half today was terrible. There was a big difference between the first two games of the year and today. Today was an atrocious effort in the second half.”
GC SUNS coach Shaun Hart was delighted to get the four premiership points after two similarly competitive efforts by his team in the opening fortnight without winning.
“You put a lot of preparation and effort in, like the boys do, and all you want is them to do well but hopefully win as well,” Hart said.
“It’s a great thing to come out the other side with a victory.
“Maybe we’re getting better at sharing the workload and guys getting a bit fitter.”
Gold Coast SUNS 2.4 4.10 9.15 16.16.112
Aspley 1.5 8.7 10.10 11.13.79
Gold Coast SUNS
Goal Kickers: S. Day 3, N. Ablett 2, L. Patrick 2, J. Gillbee 2, H. Bennell , R. Liddy , J. Stanlake , H. Jolly , M. Lock , J. Daye , L. Moss
Best Players: J. Gillbee, H. Bennell, S. Iles, S. Day, J. Crawford, T. Hine
Aspley
Goal Kickers: M. McKee 3, J. Brain 2, C. Buchanan , B. Backwell , D. Roy , J. Wagner , S. Stavenuiter , A. Laskey
Best Players: B. Colch, M. Hutchinson, S. Brittain, M. McKee, J. Linton, S. Stavenuiter
