Under Friday night lights at People First Stadium the SUNS fought hard, falling just two points short of a win against Collingwood.

Gold Coast launched its blockbuster double header with a thrilling VFL clash, maintaining a lead at every change before Collingwood edged away late to win 15.12 (102) to 14.16 (100)

After a slow start, a fresh-from-injury Thomas Berry (one goal) delivered a smooth passage between Lachlan Gulbin and Jy Farrar (two goals) to launch the clash.  

Collingwood opened the second term with two goals, but before the Pies could swoop further, the SUNS fired back with successive majors from Caleb Lewis, who finished with four goals, and another from Berry.

Leo Lombard was one of the SUNS’ major ball winners, leading into the break with one goal and 18 disposals before finishing with 33, alongside skipper James Tsitas (34 disposals) and Jake Rogers (29 disposals & eight tackles).

Several missed opportunities inside 50 for the SUNS, followed by three unanswered goals from Collingwood’s Noah Howes, fringed the Pies in front by one goal at the final change.

Alex Sexton (three goals) was quick to light up the scoreboard in the final quarter, setting the tone for a nail-biting closing quarter with the margin never stretching beyond a goal before StreetSmarts Academy prospect Max Hudson scored his own. 

Collingwood came knocking, widening the margin to eight points with goals in quick succession before Farrar closed the margin to two points in the match’s final stages.

GOALS

COLLINGWOOD: Noah Howes 5, Harry Mahoney 2, Liam Hude 2, Christian Algeri 2, Matt O’Brien 1, Max Mahoney 1, Ash Johnson 1, Harry DeMattia 1

GOLD COAST SUNS: Caleb Lewis 4, Alex Sexton 3, Jy Farrar 2, Jamiso Shea 1, Ned Moyle 1, Leonardo Lombard 1, Max Hudson 1, Thomas Berry 1