It was a fairytale start and a nightmare ending in Gary Ablett’s first game against his former Geelong teammates at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
The Gold Coast skipper, who defected to the fledgling AFL side this year, proudly led the Suns to an unexpected 11 point halftime lead only to see them capitulate to a 21.13 (139) to 10.13 (73) loss.
The Suns early lead was built on hard running and quick transition from defence to attack against the shell-shocked Cats who were having enormous trouble at ground level tracking Gold Coast’s creative forwards.
The undefeated Cats overcame their indifferent start though to put the result beyond doubt late in third term with an eight goal to one quarter.
The third term major was the Suns’ only joy after the long break which was bitterly disappointing since they put up such a great fight for the first two quarters.
The Cats then followed with a similarly dominant final term to sour the grand opening of the stadium for the Suns which attracted a crowd of 21,485 for their gala opening.
Cats forwards James Podsiadly (four goals) and Steve Johnson (seven goals and 29 disposals) exposed the Suns brittle and under-sized defence.
Ablett’s influence in the opening stages was instrumental in the Suns racking up four consecutive first quarter goals and a second term rear guard action after they were headed in time-on.
Several former Cats premiership teammates roughed up the Brownlow medal winner but it neither broke his concentration or spirit.
He racked up his usual number of disposals as he has done against any opposition so the sense of occasion – his first against his former club and the first AFL match at the rebuilt Carrara stadium – made no difference to his approach.
The Suns should take a lot out of their opening effort and that of code-hopper Karmichael Hunt who was impressive in defence and kicked his first AFL goal with a 60m bomb late in the second quarter.
Ablett said any heavy contact he received was only in the regular course of play and he felt no undue physical attention from his former teammates.
“I’ve been excited about it for a while to get out there and have a crack against my ex-teammates,” Ablett said.
“They went out to attack all our players. They hit the ball fairly and they are a pretty fair side.
“It was all good.”
Suns coach Guy McKenna said there were a number of encouraging signs, especially the continued improvement of project defender Hunt, who joined in several offensive thrusts.
The second-half fadeout, though, was bitterly disappointing and would serve as a reference point for a number of younger players.
“In the second half we tired, made poor turnovers and, against a side that has not lost a game, they are going to open you up,” McKenna said.
“Certainly the first half was encouraging.
“He (Hunt) was certainly more active in our offensive movement, he kicked a goal, so hopefully that keeps the naysayers quiet.”
Geelong coach Chris Scott provided cagey answers to several questions regarding their sluggish start, why Mitch Duncan was a late withdrawal and Johnson’s performance.
“He’s a good player, but Stevie knows we weren’t happy with everything he did tonight,” Scott said.
“The numbers look great but we can get seduced by numbers sometimes.
“He’s (Duncan) had a few little minor issues. Something specific we can’t tell you about.”
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
You do know what kids in Queensland call Aussie rules, right? They hate it.
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
I hope the Cowboys vs Titans game is sold out. It'll easily be the best sporting even to be held on the Gold Coast all year. I'll be there..
Jason
Guest
By the people of the Gold Coast, I don't think they're wrong
BigAl
Guest
. By whom ? - by you - well you're wrong! . .
Jason
Guest
I mean the Titans are regarded as the Gold Coast Football Club
JamesP
Guest
uuuhhh...thats what I said NF....no one is suggesting the AFL will top the NRL in ratings in QLD/NSW...
UK Steve
Guest
Why are you so sure that it will be a niche sport, nothing more, nothing less? Whose to say what the sporting landscape will be like in 50 years. The next generation and the generation after that won't necessarily grow up with an anti-AFL attitude. I'd say that there will be a massive difference between the AFL's push into Qld in the next 20 years compared to the last 20 years.
NF
Guest
Jamesp Suns would win in attendance for the Suns game but ratings they won't since it one of the QLD derbies when the Collingwood game occurs.
zach
Guest
I stand corrected. Research reveals the crowd was 29,442 http://www.austadiums.com/sport/event.php?eventid=10149 Stadium capacity 31,500 2000 short
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
Fans will be the biggest losers, many people follow both, if it is the NRL and not TV, then they are shooting themselves in the foot, they will lose fans and respect for making poeple choose.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
That's good news for the Suns, but I don't want to get in the game of kicking teams when they're down, or drawing conclusions that are far too early to draw. Any time a team is on the bottom, their attendances will suffer - it's a universal truth.
JamesP
Guest
This article from a few days ago has also been mentioned in a few stories...NRL (or TV execs?) deliberately putting the Titans v Cowboys game up against the Suns v Pies game in a few weeks... http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2011/05/25/318091_gold-coast-afl.html With the Titans currently on the bottom of the ladder, and the Pies game all but sold out, the Suns will win this one in attendance if not in TV ratings...
NF
Guest
As a neutral it was a fine game to watch let's remember now that the AFL will always be second fiddle to the NRL in QLD but it will forever grow as a niche nothing more nothing less. The Suns are developing nicely as this is a development year for them they will hit there stride sooner than later.
Dingo
Guest
Didn't see the game, but that goal by Hunt was a beauty, outside fifty as well. He confidently took the grab, played on and backed himself to have a shot and he really gave that ball a ride. That might be a defining moment in his career, lets hope his learning curve keeps going in the upward trajectory and we see more of this type of play. Good stuff.
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
Maybe, but what you fail to understand is that the GC is a location for cold southern fans to go and watch their team, and have a couple of theme park days, beach etc. According to all reports, Geelong bought 5,000 fans with them, that aint gunna stop, and if history is any guide , and it usually is, clubs actually grow their membership base, the GC Suns will be bigger in the future, not smaller. If the GC get the Commonwealth games, the stadium will be expanded, the team will grow again. The GC Suns will be a popular regional club, a bit like Geelong.
Redb
Roar Guru
now your talking nonsense. In a few years the Suns will be a Top 4 team they will be bigger than they are now.
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
In a few years the Suns might be lucky to get 10,000 to a home match.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Don't know about Queensland, but it was on Main Event (518) in Sydney.
Redb
Roar Guru
Very good ratings for a side currently last on the ladder and supposedly no-one in QLD would watch. hehe
Redb
Roar Guru
who cares. Melbourne is a city of 4 million plus. The storm got under 10,000 again today, better get the accountants on the job. ;) AFL has never got a crowd of over 20,000 on the Gold Coast.