Suns make Top End statement with dominant Cats win

The Gold Coast Suns have achieved their highest ever score as they pulled off one of the most complete demolition jobs against Geelong at fortress Darwin.

Their previous high scores of 148 and 146 points came more than a decade ago in 2013, both against the GWS Giants.

But those scores were in trouble when the ever-electric Noah Anderson kicked from the 50m to send his squad beyond the 150 mark, in a match they won 26.8 (164) to 15.10 (100).

The Suns were down at quarter time, but then went on to score 15 goals to three in the following two quarters in one of the most complete performances a side has managed against the Cats.

Jack Lukosius was the early influence, kicking three goals and assisting another in an opening period full of lead changes, before achieving his third five-goal haul in Darwin.

The run and carry and pressure early kept Cats in the contest with Tyson Stengle showing his known flair and veteran Zach Tuohy getting on the board in his return to the side.

But once the second quarter ticked over it was all one way traffic Suns with the usual suspects of Noah Anderson (41 disposals), Matt Rowell (35 disposals) and Touk Miller pulling the strings.

Bailey Humphrey, Ben King and Sam Day were others to make sure the efforts of their all-dominant midfield paid off with multiple goals each.

Geelong never got a real sniff again and lost for the third time from three games, a fate Suns had condemned them to at the start of the 2023 season as well.

The match was also the first time since Adelaide in 1989 where Geelong had conceded 25 goals.

It was another busy night for the Territorians on their home turf, with Ben Long playing an impact role on Geelong captain Tom Stewart, and getting a couple of goals for his troubles.

Joel Jeffrey and Lloyd Johnston were impressive too, with Jeffrey getting a goal in the second quarter tidal wave, while Johnston showed how dangerous he can be when left unattended plenty of times.

LUKOSIUS HOLDS COURT EARLY

Jack Lukosius booted 10 goals from two games in the 2023 Darwin trip against the Bulldogs and then Adelaide.

He was used more in around the ruck against North Melbourne in his Top End return last week than in the forward line, denying him another five goal performance.

But against Geelong he once again was the go to man in the forward line using his height to out mark the Cats’ defence.

His first came within a minute intercepting a Geelong free kick and quickly punishing to post the first of the match.

He held court from there booting two more goals in a terrific opening term, including one from the sideline after taking an elite mark from a 60m Alex Sexton kick.

He would go on to complete his bag and make another five goal haul in Darwin in the final quarter when his side had crossed their record score mark.

GEELONG’S FREE KICK WOES CONTINUE

The Suns dominated the midfield battle off the back of the likes of Rowell, Anderson and Miller, but the key stat that played in their favour was free kicks.

By half time the free kick count was 17-3 in the Gold Coast’s favour and the Suns took full advantage with a run of six goals to close out the first half.

It came just five days after Cats coach Chris Scott’s expansive rant after umpires decided not to pay advantage in a near certain goal for Jeremy Cameron against Port Adelaide.

The match finished 25-13 free kicks Suns way.

SUNS COLLISION

Gold Coast were absolutely flying in the second quarter kicking seven goals to one, but it was mid-flight where the side had their only real mar of the quarter as well.

Mac Andrew and Ben Ainsworth went skyward in a marking contest with Geelong’s Mark O’Connor, when they collided with one another, and both struggled to rise.

O’Connor managed to run out of the contest without issue, however Ainsworth came from the field with blood while Andrew hobbled off after him.

Andrew didn’t return after half time with a lower leg injury, with his side losing his influence in defence and in the ruck battle.

SCOREBOARD

GOLD COAST 4.2 11.5 19.7 26.8 (164)

GEELONG 5.0 6.2 8.7 15.10 (100)

BEST

Suns: Anderson, Rowell, Lukosius, Miller, Humphrey

Cats: Stengle, Holmes, Miers, Neale, Conway

GOALS

Suns: Lukosius 5, Humphrey 5, King 4, Day 3, Long 2, Swallow 2, Anderson 2, Ainsworth, Rowell, Jeffrey

Cats: Stengle 3, Henry 2, Holmes, Tuohy, Neale, Bruhn, Rohan

INJURIES Suns: Andrew (lower leg). Cats: nil.

12,112 at TIO

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

NATHANIEL CHAMBERS’ VOTES

3 Noah Anderson (Suns)

2 Matt Rowell (Suns)

1 Jack Lukosius (Suns)