First quarter: Gold Coast Suns 4.5 (29) to Melbourne 2.1 (13)
In beautiful conditions, Gold Coast kicked with the breeze at the scoreboard end and took advantage of it, booting four goals to two for the term.
The Suns registered the first two majors, before Christian Petracca opened Melbourne’s account at the eight-minute mark.
James Harmes was Melbourne’s only goalscorer before quarter-time, as Brandon Matera landed two for the Suns by the first break.
At quarter-time, Gold Coast led by 16 points.
Michael Hibberd, Jordan Lewis and Clayton Oliver had nine touches each by quarter-time, as Aaron Hall had 10 for the Suns.
Second quarter: Gold Coast Suns 7.7 (49) to Melbourne 4.8 (32)
Melbourne got just the start it wanted in the second term, when Mitch Hannan – who took a hanger in the first quarter – kicked truly within the opening minute.
But from that point, the Demons were wasteful on the scoreboard, booting seven behinds for the quarter.
The Suns capitalised and kicked three in a row to lead by 24 points at the 20-minute mark.
After kicking three behinds for the quarter, Jeff Garlett finally got his first, when he kicked a much-needed goal just seconds before half-time, reducing the deficit to 17 points.
Jake Melksham had the most disposals by the long change with 19, while Clayton Oliver had 18. For the Suns, Hall continued to hold sway with 16 possessions.
Third quarter: Melbourne 9.10 (64) to Gold Coast Suns 9.8 (62)
Gold Coast extended its lead to a game-high 30 points, early in the second half, when Michael Barlow opened the third term and Peter Wright added his second.
But when Garlett kicked Melbourne’s first for the quarter – and his second – it was the start of five red and blue goals by the final change.
Nathan Jones and James Harmes kicked two goals each, and when the co-captain landed his second at the 28-minute mark, Melbourne was in front for the first time.
Heading into the final stanza, Melbourne led by two points.
Melksham had 26 disposals by three quarter-time, with Lewis and Oliver claiming 25 each. Hall had 21 for the Suns.
Final quarter: Melbourne 18.14 (122) d Gold Coast Suns 13.9 (87)
After kicking the last five goals of the third term, Melbourne added the first three majors of the final quarter to have eight in a row.
Goals came via Alex Neal-Bullen, Hannan and Jack Watts, before Gold Coast ended the streak via Alex Sexton. But when Hannan replied with his fourth and Garlett booted two in two minutes, the game was all but over.
Melbourne managed to kick nine goals to four in the final term to produce a stunning come-from-behind win - a 65-point turnaround. Jones also finished with his third, Dom Tyson’s became Melbourne’s eighth goalkicker and Garlett’s fifth capped off an outstanding performance.
In the end, the Demons won by 35 points – their first win at TIO Traeger Park.
Oliver finished with 35 disposals, Melksham 32 and Hall had 29 for the Suns.
