Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Geelong Gold Coast Suns action ended in another heavy blow for Gold Coast, with Geelong winning by 45 points at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night to hand Damien Hardwick’s side a third straight Australian Football League defeat.
The Suns had arrived with hopes of proving their top-four credentials after last season’s first finals appearance, but Geelong took charge after quarter-time and won 15.15 (105) to 8.12 (60) in front of 30,276 fans.
The result adds another layer to the Australian Football League ladder race after Alex Pearce Fremantle Dockers Focus Stays Firm as Premiership Hype Builds, with Geelong now preparing for a major test against Fremantle. Fans can follow official updates through the Australian Football League website.
Geelong Punish Gold Coast Turnovers
Gold Coast led by 12 points late in the first quarter, but Geelong responded with the next seven goals to take control of their White Out night.
The Suns struggled to protect the ball and Geelong made them pay, turning midfield pressure and repeat entries into a steady scoreboard gap.
"We kicked relatively poor at goal, missed opportunities of connection inside 50, and they kicked some unbelievable goals," Suns coach Damien Hardwick said.
"The way we're playing is in reasonable shape, we've just got to execute moments a bit better."
Cameron and Wiltshire Lead Cats Attack
Jeremy Cameron and Oliver Wiltshire kicked three goals each, while Ollie Dempsey, Ollie Henry and Shannon Neale added two each.
Max Holmes led Geelong with 31 disposals and a goal, while Bailey Smith had 27 disposals and five clearances.
Gold Coast found few clean attacking chains, though Sam Collins and Matt Rowell gave the visitors some resistance.
The defeat leaves Gold Coast winless in 10 matches at GMHBA Stadium since entering the league in 2011.
Fremantle Test Awaits Geelong
"While some of their good players still did good things, we didn't think they all got away from us too much at one time," Geelong coach Chris Scott said of the Suns.
"It just didn't look like it looked like in Opening Round where they just found ways to score that surprised us."
Geelong, now 9-5 and third, face ladder-leading Fremantle at Optus Stadium next Thursday.