FIVE Jake Melksham majors weren't enough for Melbourne to fix a frigid start on the Gold Coast, as the Suns held off a spirited final quarter comeback from Melbourne to win by 19 points at People First Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Demons were fresh off the bye but struggled early, as the Suns charged to a 36-point quarter-time lead on the way to a 15.14 (104) to 12.13 (85) win.
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Gold Coast and pushed it back into the eight with a game in hand.
Matt Rowell showed just why there was so much interest in his signature with a best on ground performance.
The inside midfield ace hunted the ball like a hungry animal, finishing with 24 disposals that included 12 clearances and nine score involvements. He also laid 11 tackles.
Rowell had plenty of help, with Sam Flanders, John Noble and Touk Miller all highly involved.
Leading by 46 points at the last change, Gold Coast looked like careering away to a percentage-boosting win, but Melbourne rallied, kicking five goals to reduce the margin before Ben King’s third goal sealed the premiership points.
Simon Goodwin’s men will rue a frustrating first quarter as the Suns ran roughshod to establish a six goal lead.
It could have, and probably should have, been greater, with the hosts dominating the inside 50s 22-6, yet managing just five goals from 12 scoring shots.
They punished the Demons on turnover, finding spare players at will, as Noble and Wil Powell, along with the midfield brigade, chained possessions together to create scoring chances.
Bailey Humphrey’s rundown tackle on Kysaiah Pickett in the middle of the ground showed the home team’s desperation.
Things changed in the second quarter and not surprisingly it was Max Gawn and Jack Viney leading the way, as the Demons ramped up their intensity and ate into the margin.
They got within 18 points early in the third quarter, but the Suns wrestled back control with a six-goal term.
There was some spice between the teams throughout the day, particularly following a stray Steven May arm that clipped Ben Ainsworth over the head during the third term.
King came charging in to remonstrate, bringing players in from both sides to get involved in the scrap.
GOLD COAST 5.7 8.9 14.11 15.14 (104)
MELBOURNE 0.1 5.3 7.7 12.13 (85)
GOALS
Gold Coast: King 3, Walter 2, Long 2, Ainsworth 2, Humphrey 2, Read, Miller, Jeffrey, Budarick
Melbourne: Melksham 5, Pickett 3, Fritsch 2, Petty, Gawn
BEST
Gold Coast: Rowell, Noble, Miller, Flanders, Humphrey, Fiorini
Melbourne: Pickett, Melksham, Petracca, Rivers, Viney
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Melbourne: Blake Howes (concussion), Harrison Petty (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
Gold Coast: Alex Sexton (replaced Bailey Humphrey during the fourth quarter)
Melbourne: Harry Sharp (replaced Howes during the second quarter)
Crowd: 13,064 at People First Stadium
