In a victory that will be etched into club folklore, the Gold Coast Suns have spectacularly shattered their finals hoodoo, overturning a fourth-quarter deficit to vanquish the Fremantle Dockers by seven points in a pulsating elimination final.
The 11.11 (77) to 10.10 (70) triumph at a raucous People First Stadium is more than just a win; it's a monumental statement. Under the guidance of coach Damien Hardwick, the Suns have now won their first final in 13 attempts, banishing years of September disappointment and booking a fairytale semi-final date.
A Game of Two Halves: Dockers Dominate Before Suns' Surge
For three quarters, the script followed a familiar and painful pattern for the Suns. Despite a bright start, Fremantle’s midfield engine, led by the prolific Toby Serong (42 disposals), seized control. The Dockers' defensive pressure was immense, stifling Gold Coast's ball movement and building what seemed a decisive 15-point lead deep into the third term.
The Suns' frustration was palpable, their chances appearing to slip away as the Dockers' system prevailed. However, a flicker of hope emerged just before three-quarter time, a crucial goal cutting the margin to a manageable nine points and providing a lifeline.
The Final Quarter Onslaught: King Ben Reigns
The last quarter was a masterpiece of relentless pressure and sheer will. The Suns exploded from the centre clearance, their run and carry suddenly too hot for Fremantle to handle. The catalyst was star forward Ben King, who shook off a quiet night to become the hero, booting two of his three goals in the final term.
Every contest was ferocious. The Suns' defence, marshalled by Sam Collins, stood tall under a barrage of inside 50s from a desperate Fremantle. The siren sounded to trigger scenes of unbridled joy and relief, as Suns players and fans celebrated a hard-earned, against-the-odds victory that finally proves their credentials on the biggest stage.
Key Players and What It Means
While King stole the show on the scoreboard, the victory was built on collective grit. Touk Miller was a bull in the midfield, and Noah Anderson’s class was vital. For the Dockers, Serong’s performance was Herculean in defeat, but they will rue missed opportunities and a costly fadeout when it mattered most.
This result is a watershed moment for the AFL. The Suns, no longer the competition's easybeats, march on to a semi-final, their belief sky-high. For Fremantle, it’s a brutally abrupt end to a season that promised so much more, leaving them with a long summer of introspection.
