Suns coach Damien Hardwick has a message for any rival clubs who find themselves deep into a tight game against Collingwood: Tag Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey.
Gold Coast secured its most important win under Hardwick so far and cemented its status as finals contenders while ensuring the Suns perfect home record remains intact.
The Suns held off a fast finishing Collingwood to claim a 14.17 (101) to 13.12 (90) Round 16 win in front of 23,029 at People First Stadium on Saturday.
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Gold Coast led for the majority of the game but found itself behind with four minutes left on the back of a Collingwood push that came on the back of two blockbuster goals from Daicos and De Goey.
“God they’re incredible, aren’t they? The way they came back,” Hardwick said post-game.
“It’s funny, I spoke to ‘Clarko’ (Alastair Clarkson) … Hint to other coaches when the game is like that, tag Daicos and tag De Goey.
“They are unbelievable and they work together so we tried to get it done and we couldn’t.
“The pleasing thing from my point of view was when we did get headed we responded really well.
“I was really pleased with our leadership. Noah Anderson, Touk and Witters (Jarrod Witts) stood up. We got control and got the game back on our terms a little bit. They are a very impressive side, Collingwood.”
A Ben Long goal turned the tide when the Suns fell behind before teammate Ben Ainsworth sealed the victory.
It has lifted the Suns to an 8-7 record and kept the club in touching distance with the top eight.
“I thought the way we played for the majority of the game was impressive,” Hardwick said.
“I was really happy with the way the guys moved the ball. Defensively we stood up against a really good side, a premiership side from last year who challenges the opposition in a multitude of ways.”
The stadium was a sea of black and white as the third biggest crowd to attend a Suns home game did everything in its power to give Collingwood an edge.
But the might of Gold Coast’s midfield, led by co-captain Jarrod Witts, gave the Suns ascendancy and a 25-point buffer going into the final term that proved too big a margin to overcome.
A year after being handed a 78-point drubbing at the hands of Collingwood it was Gold Coast who dictated play, leading at each of the breaks in a physical encounter.
“They are a quality side, the reigning premiers,” Suns co-captain Touk Miller said.
“We have been under pressure for a few weeks now and it’s exciting for the club.”
Jarrod Witts had one of the most influential games of his career, leading Gold Coast to a win that could propel it towards a maiden finals berth.
Witts had 32 hit-outs but was forced to leave the field with 10 minutes left in the game while Gold Coast defender Mac Andrew battled on bravely after dislocating his finger in a third quarter that also finished with Magpies’ Beau McCreery sidelined with a leg injury.
Witts came back on in the final minutes and made an impact across the entire ground throughout the match.
— NCA NewsWire