Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has bitten his lip after Melbourne escaped with a five-point win in a controversial end that helped the Demons again to the highest of the AFL desk.
The Demons’ 13.12 (90) to 13.7 (85) win, an eleventh straight over the Suns, got here regardless of Gold Coast’s midfield matching their all-star forged.
Darcy Macpherson missed his shot to tie the sport with 20 seconds on the clock, whereas key ahead Ben King was earlier controversially denied a free kick because the hosts hunted the go-ahead purpose.
Gold Coast had been with out injured trio Touk Miller, Ben Ainsworth and Lachie Weller however up stepped Noah Anderson (36 touches, one purpose).
He and Matt Rowell (11 clearances, 13 contested possessions) held sway with Christian Petracca (26 touches, one purpose) and Clayton Oliver (28 touches).
Macpherson (30 disposals) and Wil Powell (25 disposals) had been influential for the stoic Suns, who dropped to 3-5.
“That’s for other people to decide,” Dew mentioned of the King no-call.
“No doubt there’s commentary. I’ll stick to our own backyard.”
The parochial 11,440-strong crowd’s protests set the scene, Dew saying he was pleased with how his aspect repeatedly fought again from adversity.
“Yeah, you’ve to no choice have you? You can’t stop and say ‘Excuse me, can we have another look at that one?’,” he mentioned.
“I don’t want to be too buoyant about a loss but geez, there’s a fair bit of heart and togetherness about this group.”
The Demons skipped clear early within the first time period and once more within the second however the Gold Coast rallied on each events, solely a late Alex Neal-Bullen purpose handing them a seven-point halftime lead.
A Ben King purpose locked up the scores at three-quarter time however the Demons leant into their popularity as final-quarter specialists to drag forward by 15.
That’s when Suns fullback Charlie Ballard was stretchered off after copping a knock from Jacob van Rooyen’s errant spoil.
Ballard was later cleared of harm and it proved a helpful juncture for the house aspect when Anderson soccered to himself then banged dwelling a significant.
When Malcolm Rosas Jnr snapped his fourth after extra nice up-field strain it was a four-point sport.
The Suns pressed for the go-ahead purpose however with 4 minutes to play King wasn’t rewarded, regardless of showing to be dragged down as he led for a mark.
Macpherson nonetheless had the possibility to tie the sport inside the ultimate minute, however his set shot went proper for a behind and the Demons had been in a position to see out the clock and enhance to 6-2.
Max Gawn was in every single place for Melbourne within the first half, including two targets, however was stored trustworthy in a stoic ruck battle with Jarrod Witts.
“It was a game we thought was going to take place,” Dees coach Simon Goodwin mentioned.
“It’s one you walk away pretty pleased with the result … just our last quarter (was the difference).”
“You build character off those types of wins but it’s starting to be a hallmark, how we finish games off.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
