The Gold Coast Suns delivered an impressive performance on Wednesday night, defeating Essendon by a staggering 95 points, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history. It marked the high point of the Suns as they finished with a stunning 23.15 (153) to 8.10 (58) victory. Aside from this monumental victory, they took home with them their first finals appearance in 15 years! This victory sent them soaring to third on the ladder, overtaking Hawthorn in the process. Now, they can find themselves focused on a thrilling Elimination Final date with Fremantle in Perth.
Indeed, the Gold Coast Suns seized control right from the opening tip. In fact, they ended the first quarter up 40 points – their biggest first-half lead ever. The team maintained their momentum throughout the match, leading by 44 points at halftime and extending that margin to 69 points by three-quarter time.
Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell had a large part to play in this landmark victory. Both players played to the peak of their powers on the biggest stage. Anderson, the team’s on-field captain and emotional leader, said the emotional weight of the victory was significant, saying, “To be honest, it doesn’t feel real.” He reflected on the journey leading up to this moment, highlighting the efforts of past players who laid the groundwork for their current success.
“Those older boys have been here for so long. We’ve had so many that have come through and not been in this position. So grateful we get to be out here tonight to experience this.” – Noah Anderson
Ben King had the brightest game in victory, scoring a stunning seven-goal career-best haul. His amazing playmaking was a huge shot in the arm to the Suns’ offense. Jarrod Witts provided the exclamation point on the night with a remarkable long-range goal after the siren. This lit up the 20,000+ fans who braved a rainy Wednesday night for this historic matchup.
It was emotional for Touk Miller, another major cog in the Gold Coast wheel, after their initial victory. “Makes me a little bit emotional. It feels like a long time coming,” he remarked, acknowledging the challenges faced by the team over the years.
The fervent audience on hand at Metricon Stadium helped craft a surging environment. Fans erupted with excitement, basking in the glow of their team’s historic accomplishment. Anderson praised their support, stating, “It has been a massive credit to this organisation, the people we have in place, the fans that come here, almost 20,000 here on a Wednesday night. Super special.”
Looking forward beyond this match, the Gold Coast Suns will be taking on Fremantle in their first ever final match. With this new challenge ahead, it’s a new beginning for the squad. Their mission? To earn their place in finals history.
The excitement and buzz for this momentous game is off the charts! Analysts and former players alike have been singing praises about the team’s surprising turnaround all year long. As fellow former player turned commentator Nick Riewoldt pointed out on the journey, it’s been a long road for the Suns.
