SUNS SCORCH EAGLES
Gold Coast proves a class above West Coast 1t home
The Gold Coast Suns have defended their home-ground fortress for a fourth match straight, outlasting the West Coast Eagles to survive a fourth-quarter scare at People First Stadium.
Despite a slow start, it was a third-term blitz – booting six goals to West Coast’s one – that sealed the Round 7 clash for the Suns, finishing 17.10.112 to 12.3.75.
Firing from their two-game winning streak, the Eagles began the match with pace, with Eliot Yeo taking the ball out of the first clearance to deliver it to Ryan Maric, who kicked their first major of the day in under a minute.
Early errors from the Suns in and around their forward 50 resulted in a swinging goal from in-form Yeo, while a third goal from Jake Waterman rounded out the Eagles' blistering start to put them three goals up in just six minutes, as the Suns’ defensive structure looked stunned.
A stroke of luck helped secure the Suns their first goal when Eagles’ ruck Bailey Williams was penalised for high contact against Jarrod Witts, who booted a much-needed major from 50 metres.
First-year forward Jed Walter struggled to break free in the first half, as he faced intense pressure from the Eagles’ defence. Despite this, playmakers Matt Rowell,
Noah Anderson and Will Powell worked well to keep the Suns in control as they steadily built into the game.
Just as quickly as the Eagles began, the Suns were able to switch momentum and close in a four-goal margin at quarter time.
The second term became a see-sawing affair, as Sam Day brought Gold Coast ahead for the first time all game, with a set-shot in under a minute.
The resultant quarter was an arm wrestle, with the Suns up by three at haftime.
Despite their fiery start, West Coast’s energy plummeted in the third quarter, with inconsistency and sloppy skillerrors in their defensive 50 allowing the Suns to go six on the trot – West Coast's Jamie Cripps kicking their only major for the term.
Even when the Suns left some openings of their own, the Eagles were unable to break away from their defensive half, looking overworked and without a remedy.
As water sprinkled onto the grounds in the final term, the Eagles were able to work themselves back into the contest, with a goal from Liam Ryan keeping West Coast within just 18 points.
But it was here when youngster Jed Walter, who had a short spell on the sideline during the second half of the match, was able to lift his energy and deliver two wellneeded majors to seal the deal.
FIRST-YEARS FIRING
Second-game player Jake Rogers had a stellar outing in the midfield, using his smaller frame to slot between the action and deliver some timely deliveries, along with booting his first goal in AFL football early in the third term.
Fellow first-year Will Graham also kicked his first goal in AFL football, and Jed Walter had two of his own.
100 FOR WATERMAN
Booting four goals to his name, Jake Waterman became the 30th Eagles player to kick 100 goals for the club.
His efforts were left mostly unrewarded, however, and this reliance on Waterman hindered the travelling side.