MELBOURNE has suffered a defeat at the hands of Gold Coast, going down by 22 points at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.
The Suns were impressive from the outset in the humid conditions, answering every challenge to beat the Demons for the first time in their history, 9.7 (61) to 5.9 (39).
Melbourne dominated the back half of the first quarter and took the front on the siren when Alyssa Bannan pounced on an errant kick and snapped truly.
Leading by three points heading into the second term, the Dees' work rate was put to the test and it was a three-goal quarter from the Suns that saw them build a 15-point half-time advantage.
The young Melbourne side tried to claw back the deficit to no avail in the third quarter, the Dees missing key personnel like Kate Hore and Mia Austin through injury.
Despite a late fight in the dying minutes of the game from Tyla Hanks, the travelling team couldn't withstand the Suns pressure and suffered their second loss of season 2026.Â
Up next
Gold Coast will be out to make it seven straight wins when it travels to Adelaide to play the Crows next Saturday at Unley Oval (12.35pm ACDT). Melbourne has a six-day break to prepare for Richmond at Ikon Park on Friday night (7.15pm AEDT) in a match it must win to stay in the top four.Â
GOLD COASTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2.1Â Â Â Â Â Â 5.2Â Â Â Â Â Â 8.3Â Â Â Â Â Â 9.7 (61)
MELBOURNEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2.4Â Â Â Â Â Â 2.5Â Â Â Â Â Â 4.7Â Â Â Â Â Â 5.9 (39)
GOALS
Gold Coast:Â Harris 2, Nurse 2, Usher 2, Hatchard, D.Davies, Baron
Melbourne:Â Hanks 2, Bannan, Livingstone, CampbellÂ
BESTÂ
Gold Coast: D’Arcy, Rowbottom, McLaughlin, Usher, Single, Lappin
Melbourne:Â Hanks, Gillard, Fitzsimon, Purcell
INJURIES
Gold Coast:Â Nil
Melbourne:Â Nil
Reports:Â Nil
Crowd: TBC at Great Barrier Reef Arena
