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The Demons defeated the Suns by 13 points in the AFL, overshadowing a valiant effort from Gold Coast.
The Suns got off to a quick start at Metricon Stadium on Saturday after their drought-breaking win over West Coast in Perth the previous weekend, but they couldn’t keep up with the Demons, who won 12.10 (82) to 10.9 (69) to make it two wins in a row.
Luke Jackson, the Demons’ young star, was everywhere in an eye-catching display, accumulating 21 disposals throughout the field, seven clearances, and striking two goals, one of which was important in the first quarter.
In an usually dominant performance, gun midfielder Christian Petracca collected a career-high 41 disposals and 14 inside 50s for his club.
With 34 disposals and nine marks, teen Jake Bowey continued his strong start to his AFL career.
For the Demons, Kysaiah Pickett and Ben Brown both scored two goals, while Clayton Oliver (34 disposals and a goal) had a strong game.
Touk Miller, the Gold Coast’s superstar midfielder, was the highlight performer for the visitors.
Recruit On his Suns’ home debut, Levi Casboult scored two goals, while Mabior Chol, another rookie, was active throughout the game, attempting numerous eye-catching passes and kicking a goal after a solid pack-mark before tiring late.
The Suns’ other multiple goalkickers were Noah Anderson and Jack Lukosius, who each had two.
Despite the late withdrawal of small forward Izak Rankine due to a corked quad, the Suns got off to a better start than their more-fancied opponents, scoring the opening 15 points of the game until the Demons took the lead with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter following three late goals.
In the second period, Melbourne increased their advantage to 16 points, but the Suns fought back to get within two points until another late surge by the Demons put them 14 points up at the major break.
In the third period, the Suns were unable to keep up with Melbourne’s pinpoint finishing, and by the time Pickett scored his second on the run with a beautiful finish, the Demons had built a game-high 22-point lead at the final change.
Gold Coast was in the game after Anderson’s second goal of the night in the fourth quarter, but the Demons kept their opponents at bay for the closing minutes to win their 10th consecutive game against the Suns.
“They’re a good side. They’ve shown through the summer that they’ve changed a bit about how they play and they’re gelling well as a side,” Simon Goodwin, the Demons’ coach, expressed his thoughts.
“So we knew the challenge coming up here to get a result … walk away from this a really happy coach and a happy club in terms of how we got ourselves back into the game.”
Coach Stuart Dew claimed his players were dejected after losing to the premiers, indicating the Suns’ altered expectations.
“That’s because we had a real crack at it and didn’t get there,” Dew said.
“That happens in footy but it would have been nice to get over the line but they were just better in the big moments and more composed, used the ball well under pressure.”
On Friday, Melbourne will face Essendon at the MCG, while Gold Coast will play GWS in Sydney the following Saturday.
