Gold Coast's big forwards stood tall at Metricon Stadium on Saturday to lead the Suns to a 24-point win over Fremantle.
Despite missing their six best midfielders through injury, the Suns overturned an eight-point half-time deficit to overrun the Freo Dockers and win 16.9 (105) to 12.9 (81).
Yarran kicks first goal in AFL footy
On a hot and windy Gold Coast afternoon, they kicked eight goals to three in the second half to notch their sixth victory of the season.
The tall trio of Sam Day (four goals), Tom Lynch (four) and Peter Wright (three) combined for 11 of Gold Coast's 16 goals.
They also took 25 marks between them.
For Day it was a breakout game and an equal career-high, and although Lynch was beaten by Zac Dawson for much of the day, his relentless workrate was rewarded with some telling fourth quarter goals.
Gold Coast's game plan was obvious – get it long to the big guys and let them go to work. It worked.
Fremantle had its chances, but turned the ball over often.
Lachie Neale was immense with a career-high 43 disposals, while Michael Walters (four goals) was brilliant in the first half.
Place your 3-2-1 votes and WIN!
Coach Ross Lyon said he was pleased with the first half and the way Fremantle fought the game out, but was at a loss to explain a third quarter where his team was outworked.
"Really simply, we're leaving too much to too few and we need a few to buy-in," he said.
"A few of our senior players were quieter than we would have liked them, without naming them."
Missing a number of their own stars, including Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Hayden Ballantyne and the rested Matthew Pavlich, Freo weren't able to over-run the Suns.
GOLD COAST 5.2 8.3 12.7 16.9 (105)
FREMANTLE 3.0 9.5 10.6 12.9 (81)
GOALS
Gold Coast: May 4, Lynch 4, Wright 3, Grant 2, Matera, Sexton, Martin
Fremantle: Walters 4, Langdon 2, Yarran 2, Taberner, Pearce, Neale, Griffin
BEST
Gold Coast: May, Sexton, Day, Miller, Grant, Harbrow
Fremantle: Neale, Walters, Pearce, Collins, Spurr, Dawson
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Rosa (hamstring, replaced in selected side by Tape)
Fremantle: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stephens, Edwards, Jeffery
Official crowd: 8,933 at Metricon Stadium
