The return of Gary Ablett has helped spark Gold Coast to their second AFL win of the season, a 55-point triumph over North Melbourne.
Almost a year to the day of his season-ending shoulder injury last year, the superstar Suns’ skipper provided a timely reminder of what his side had been missing in the 19.11 (125) to 10.10 (70) victory on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.
Ablett finished with a team-high 31 disposals, but it was his sheer presence that inspired his teammates to rise to another level after a horrific week for both club and code.
>>MORE: Lindsay Thomas takes mark of the year contender
Previously rudderless without their leader and barely competitive in weeks gone by, it felt like a return to the Suns of old.
The dual Brownlow medallist also kicked three majors and his influence on the contest grew as the likes of best-on-ground Kade Kolodjashnij (28) and Michael Rischitelli (28) rallied around him.
Charlie Dixon also had a day out with a career-best seven goals, Aaron Hall chipped in with three and defender Steven May silenced North Melbourne forward Jarrod Waite.
The Suns were rarely troubled against a surprisingly lacklustre Kangaroos outfit and, at one stage, led by as much as 29 points in a dominant first half.
Three North Melbourne goals helped trim the margin back to 11 points at halftime and they appeared to have all the momentum at that stage – only for Gold Coast to fire straight back with three of their own at the start of the third term.
The Kangaroos were never a chance from then on, and the margin blew out as the Suns basked in the glory of an eight-goal final quarter.
The only highlight from a North Melbourne perspective was Lindsay Thomas’ goal-of-the-year contender early on, when he rode Adam Saad like a chairlift – and then crashed head-on into the ground, shaken and unable to take his kick.
The loss puts a massive dent into the Kangaroos’ finals hopes while Gold Coast have moved off the bottom of the ladder on percentage and past local rivals Brisbane, who face Fremantle on Sunday.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Full credit to GC but I'm going to whinge anyway. Any chance the umps could pay a free against old Gaz? Dixon got handed some soft frees dead in front when the game was still salvagable Why did they drop Big Brownie? Waite's a lightweigh North have no back up plan Anyway lucky it's only a game. I think Lindsay broke Capper's record for hang time and with a bit more style
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Just noticed on BF that the Fox ratings for this game was 292k, which is damn good.
Gecko
Guest
Yes, it was Crocker coaching on match day. When Clarkson took time off from the Hawks, the Hawks' on-field leaders stepped up and the team remained committed. Yesterday, the Kangaroos' lack of on-field leadership was evident. So was their lack of overlap run. Rather than changing their coach, the Kangaroos should be looking at how Richmond's leadership group have finally taken a huge step forward this year. Could be something to learn.
Don Freo
Guest
Did Scott or Crocker coach them? They'll still get to the finals. Teams might need to watch Gold Coast as 6 or 7 injured players feed back into the side.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Jesus couldn't coach this team. They are so horribly inconsistent and routinely get towelled up by teams they should be walloping. Must do Brad Scott's head in.
Smokey
Guest
And they all want Hirdy sacked. I know who should go first. You don't hear Mr. King bagging his old club.