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ST KILDA 3.2 4.4 10.7 13.9 (87)
GOLD COAST 8.4 13.7 16.9 19.11 (125)
GOALS
St Kilda: Riewoldt 3, Steven 2, Stanley, Ray, Schneider, Milera, Siposs, Newnes, Weller, Billings
Gold Coast: Ablett 4, Matera 4, Lynch 4, Bennell 3, Russell, Swallow, Day, Hall
BEST
St Kilda: Hayes, Ray, Newnes, Dempster, Webster
Gold Coast: Ablett, O'Meara, Prestia, Swallow, Lynch
INJURIES
St Kilda: Dempster (cut ear), Acres (lower leg)
Gold Coast: Lemmens (leg)
SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Luke Delaney substituted out for Blake Acres in the fourth quarter
Gold Coast: Sean Lemmens (leg) substituted out for Alex Sexton in the third quarter
Jarrod Harbrow runs away from St Kilda veteran Adam Schneider. Photo: Quinn Rooney (Getty)
What happened
Gold Coast flexed its growing muscle with a 38-point victory over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, proving its best football can match the top-four teams.
The Suns produced the best first half of any side this season, opening a 57-point half-time advantage before the Saints provided an even contest in the second and third terms.
It was an effortless but important win for the fifth-placed Suns who will have a share of top spot on the AFL ladder should results go their way next round.
Gary Ablett, with four first-half goals to go with 37 possessions, and Jaeger O'Meara, 29 touches and nine clearances, were the standout performers in Sunday's only AFL fixture.
Lenny Hayes, eight clearances, was St Kilda's best on a day the Saints had few winners.
The scoreboard at the main break read 13.7 (85) to 4.4 (28) – the best return in the Suns' four-history.
The Saints responded with their own best quarter of the season, winning the centre breaks 6-2 and booting 6.3 to 3.2 – enough to conjure thoughts of a comeback.
They were killed off when Tom Lynch marked deep and converted, stretching the margin back to 38 points at three-quarter time.
The hosts were the marginally the better team in the last stanza, although couldn't reduce the deficit.
The match was a painful grind for Coleman Medal contender Nick Riewoldt. The St Kilda skipper favoured his chronically injured knee after landing awkwardly in a first-quarter marking contest.
He still managed two goals and 13 possessions.
St Kilda's encouraging start under new coach Alan Richardson is now a fading memory, with sobering losses against Hawthorn and Carlton and now Gold Coast over the past three rounds.
Gold Coast ruckman Zac Smith, 27 hitouts and 10 disposals, enjoyed a solid comeback match after a 12-month recovery from a knee injury.
Fallout
It took seven attempts for Gold Coast to register its first win at Etihad Stadium – now the Suns have two in a row.
Like the 43-point domination over North Melbourne a fortnight ago, Gold Coast lapped up the serene conditions.
The fast deck and absence of wind and rain suit the Suns game plan perfectly, especially with midfield speedsters such as Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia, Jarrod Harbrow and David Swallow.
But Guy McKenna's men don't return to Docklands until Round 22 when they play Essendon.
Each of Ablett's four majors came in the first half. Photo: Quinn Rooney (Getty)
Hope he's in my fantasy team
Ablett probably earned three Brownlow Medal votes with his typically eye-catching display.
Instead of rotating the skipper on and off the bench, McKenna cleverly sent Gazza deep into attack to rest, where his deadly accuracy, strong overhead marking and agility meant the St Kilda defenders were powerless to stop him hitting the scoreboard.
What's next
Gold Coast hosts Western Bulldogs next Sunday at Metricon Stadium at 3.20pm. Beat the Dogs and the Suns will be equal top of the ladder – pending a Hawthorn victory over Port Adelaide.
St Kilda has a bye in Round 10. After that, it plays a home match against Collingwood on Friday, May 30 at Etihad Stadium.