First quarter: Melb 3.2 (20) to GCS 2.7 (19)
 
The opening term was a fascinating one. The Demons capitalised on most of their opportunities, booting three goals from five scoring shots, as the Suns were wasteful in front of goal, registering 2.7.
 
Gold Coast’s Brandon Matera booted the first goal of the match, but when Melbourne answered with three in a row, via big men James Frawley, Chris Dawes and Cam Pedersen, the home side led by 10 points.
 
The Suns continued to pepper the big sticks, but it wasn’t until the 27-minute mark, when Aaron Hall kicked truly, that they reduced the deficit back to one-point at quarter-time.

Second quarter: Melb 4.4 (28) to GCS 6.12 (48)
 
After leading by the narrowest of margins at the first break, the Demons had a disappointing second term, as the Suns controlled the majority of play.
 
The visitors booted four goals to one, with Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch contributing two for the quarter.
 
It wasn’t until the 27-minute mark, when Frawley kicked a fine running goal from the pocket to register Melbourne’s only major for the quarter. His second goal pegged the margin back to 20 points at the long break.

Three quarter-time: GCS 8.17 (65) to Melb 6.10 (46)
 
Both sides continued to waste opportunities in front of goal, as just four goals – two from each side – were added in the third term.
 
Sam Day kicked the first of the second half to give Gold Coast a 26-point lead, but when Melbourne booted consecutive goals through Jay Kennedy-Harris and Dean Terlich, the Demons trailed by just 14 points.
 
David Swallow’s goal at the 13-minute mark was the last for the quarter, which helped the Suns gain a 19-point lead at three quarter-time.

Final quarter: Gold Coast Suns 11.20 (78) d Melbourne 11.12 (78)
 
Goals were hard to come by early in the final term, but when Nathan Jones kicked the first at the 15-minute mark, the floodgates opened.
 
From that point, a further seven goals were added, including four by the Demons: singles each to Jeremy Howe, Jack Viney, Michael Evans and Dawes, who landed his second after the final siren.
 
But it wasn’t enough, as Melbourne fell short by eight points.