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Gold Coast has started its 2024 campaign 2-0, but the feeling is ‘relief’ after outlasting a shock Adelaide comeback in the final quarter, winning 8.12 (60) to 8.6 (54) at People First Stadium.
The Suns were mightily impressive, following up an Opening Round win over Richmond last weekend, with midfielder Matt Rowell dominant around the ground despite a tag.
The Crows, who are considered a finals fancy in 2024, left their surge late on — led by livewire forwards Josh Rachele (three goals) and Izak Rankine (two).
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There were no late changes for either side ahead of Saturday night’s clash, with Darcy MacPherson (Gold Coast) and Jake Soligo (Adelaide) named the starting substitutes.
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Ben Keays kicked the Crows’ first major of the season in nifty snapping fashion, answering early Suns goals from Ben Ainsworth and Noah Anderson.
Conditions weren’t ideal in a wet and slippery Carrara, but the Suns were the quicker of the two sides to adjust, owning a 13-point quarter-time lead.
“It’s starting to pour with rain, and conditions are going to be pretty hard from now on in,” reported Fox Footy’s Alastair Lynch from the sideline at quarter-time.
Lynch also revealed his findings from Adelaide’s tag on prolific Suns onballer Matt Rowell.
“Obviously, the Adelaide Crows put a lot of work into this during the week, and they’ve got a couple of things they’re actually doing,” Lynch said.
“Sam Berry from half-forward is going up to stoppages around the ground and locking in on him. He’s only had the seven touches and no clearances in that first quarter.
“Jordan Dawson’s also going with him and (Rory) Laird, so they’re putting a lot of time into him at stoppages.”
Ainsworth kicked his second goal early in the second term, pushing Gold Coast’s lead to 20 points.
After taking a contested mark in wet conditions, Luke Pedlar blew a straightforward set shot that would’ve brought the Crows to within 15 points.
Then, things started getting spicy as Crows and Suns players tussled following a Tom Berry act.
“(It’s) a little bit niggly out there, there have been a couple of flashpoints throughout the evening,” said commentator Mark Howard on Fox Footy.
“It’s been bubbling over and now it’s got to the point where Rowell will just march forward (to the goalsquare).”
A 50-metre penalty led to a simple goal from close range for Rowell late in the half, with Gold Coast subsequently taking a 26-point lead into the main change.
Adelaide’s score of 1.2 (8) was its second-lowest all-time, symbolising both Gold Coast’s dominance and the inclement weather.
A costly turnover from a Brodie Smith kick-in led directly to a Bailey Humphrey major to extend Gold Coast’s advantage to 33 points.
Izak Rankine kicked just the second goal of the night for the Crows, as the rain continued to fall at People First Stadium.
A Josh Rachele goal on the siren gave Adelaide a glimmer of hope going into the final quarter, trailing by 29 points.
While it seemed like a Gold Coast victory was cemented, goals to Keays, Rachele (two in the final quarter) and Rankine brought the Crows all the way to within eight points, setting up a tense conclusion to the game.
Ultimately, though, it was too little too late for Adelaide, who fell by a goal to start their season on a losing foot.
Meanwhile, Damien Hardwick starts the season 2-0 for just the fourth time in his 15 seasons of AFL coaching.
The 3-2-1 (what we learned) …
3. ‘WHAT A RELIEF’: SUNS OUTLAST CROWS’ ‘OUT OF NOWHERE’ COMEBACK
Damien Hardwick, you can now take a deep breath.
The Gold Coast Suns held on in dramatic circumstances after the Adelaide Crows threatened to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in wet, slippery conditions on Saturday night.
“Welcome back to the stresses of coaching, ‘Dimma’,” said North Melbourne champion David King on Fox Footy.
The Suns led by as many as 36 points early in the final term, before a late flurry of goals from Michael Nicks’ men got Suns’ hearts racing.
“What a relief, that’s the first time he’s smiled in 30 minutes,” said Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton.
“It’s a great win by the Suns, set up early, they handled the conditions better.”
The Suns laid the platform for their narrow victory early, restricting the Crows to just the lone goal at half time.
It was much of the same in the second half before Adelaide stormed home with a wet sail, kicking five goals to Gold Coast’s one in the fourth stanza.
“To Adelaide’s credit, to be honest, they came back in that last quarter,” Suns co-captain Touk Miller told Fox Footy post-game.
“Anyone can score at any time, you can score four goals in four minutes if you need, you feel like you’re always on edge.
“But, yeah, four points is four points, but we definitely had to be a bit tighter in that last quarter.
“Obviously, we’re still tweaking the game plan, working under ‘Dimma’ and things aren’t going to be perfect, like you saw tonight.
“But, when you can get away with a win like that, under these types of conditions, yeah, it puts a smile on all the fans’ faces.”
Next up for the Suns are the Western Bulldogs.
2. ‘IT DOESN’T SURPRISE ME’: SUN FIGHTS TAG TO GO BEAST MODE AGAIN
Matt Rowell is back in a back way, reminding football fans of the player he was before his serious knee injury.
The Adelaide Crows made a concerted effort to quell the influence of stellar Sun Matt Rowell, but the other members of Gold Coast’s engine room provided assistance aplenty.
According to Fox Footy’s Alastair Lynch, as many as three Crows were deployed to combat Rowell on Saturday night.
“Obviously, the Adelaide Crows put a lot of work into this during the week, and they’ve got a couple of things they’re actually doing,” Lynch told Fox Footy at quarter-time.
“Sam Berry from half-forward is going up to stoppages around the ground and locking in on him.
“Jordan Dawson’s also going with him and (Rory) Laird, so they’re putting a lot of time into him at stoppages.”
With the focus on the 22-year-old ball-winner, the likes of Sam Flanders (35 disposals), Noah Anderson (35) and Touk Miller (29) stepped up for Damien Hardwick’s side.
Rowell (29 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 10 tackles and nine clearances), ultimately, was still able to impact the contest heavily for the Suns.
“I don’t think anyone can go head-to-head with that bloke,” Miller said.
“To his credit, he is someone that does so much work on his craft, and it doesn’t surprise me that he gets what he does in the contest.
“His ability to win in and under, use his hands, fight tackles, it’s second-to-none, best in the AFL.
“So, I’m really proud of him and what he’s been doing and hopefully it’s a big season for him.”
1. GUN CROW CRITICISED FOR SELFISH PLAY AMID DISAPPOINTING LOSS
Former North Melbourne superstar David King blasted Crows gun Izak Rankine for being lazy defensively against the Suns.
“Izak Rankine has let his team down in a number of really significant moments,” King said on Fox Footy.
“He’s neither a defensive assist on the midfielder holding out, nor is he at clearance, so he’s caught in between.
“It’s clear and obvious for all to see, and (the Crows) paid a price twice. That’s not good enough from one of your key playmakers, to allow that luxury on a night like this.”
Rankine has dazzled crowds at Adelaide Oval since moving across from the Gold Coast, but was found out on multiple occasions against his old side on Saturday night.
“I think it’s me versus we. He’s thinking about ‘how do I get the ball?’ rather than ‘what does the team need?’
“That needs to be knocked out of his game midweek.”
Adelaide’s half-time score of 1.2 (8) was its second-lowest all-time, symbolising both Gold Coast’s dominance and the inclement weather in Carrara.
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