Live: Rowell returns as unbeaten Suns take on Demons

In the event you’re Melbourne proper now, you would be involved in regards to the regularity with which the Suns are getting out and free.

They’re recognizing up their forwards they usually hit King once more inside 50.

This time the full-forward nails the kick – he has two targets  and the Suns have 4.

They lead by 16 factors into time on.

The Suns are wanting harmful once they go ahead, and that point they kicked to Ben King who marked proper facet of fifty.

However King misses! That is 20 kicks for the season for the Suns’ spearhead, who has 17.2.

The Suns are the perfect workforce within the league in scoring from turnovers, they usually simply acquired one other one there.

After they jar the ball free, there are extra Gold Coast gamers ready to pounce.

The Suns did not get it direct, however Ethan Learn kicked vast from the pocket for Zeke Uwland to mark and aim.

The Demons reply!

A pleasant transfer from the Demons, and Brody Mihocek marks and boots an enormous aim for Melbourne.

That is higher from the house facet.

The lead is 4 factors to Gold Coast.

The within 50s are stage at 4-4, however the Suns are simply taking their probabilities. They moved it quick down the wing, after which lengthy to the sq..

The ball bounced round however the Suns held it in ahead 50, and Ethan Learn grabbed it and snapped it from 15m out.

It is two targets to none to this point.

The ball is shifting quick on the MCG.

The Suns burst out of defence and almost went coast-to-coast, however the Demons chopped it off.

The house facet then went ahead and kicked lengthy – it almost bounced by means of, however Daniel Rioli punched it by means of for a degree.

That did not take lengthy!

The Suns went ahead early, Lachie Gulbin kicked lengthy from the wing, and Ben King took a clear seize close to the sq..

King kicks the aim, and it is the Suns who lead after a minute’s play.

Right here we go on the MCG – it will be Max Gawn in opposition to Jarrod Witts within the ruck.

There’s been an attention-grabbing name from the Suns – they’re placing Matt Rowell on the bench to begin with! Look out when he lastly does get on the park.

R17, 2025: Gold Coast by 19 (Carrara)R4, 2025: Gold Coast by 58 (MCG)R24, 2024: Melbourne by 54 (Carrara)R8, 2023: Melbourne by 5 (Carrara)R2, 2022: Melbourne by 13 (Carrara)R20, 2021: Melbourne by 98 (Docklands)

Up till final 12 months, the Melbourne Demons have been a particular bogey facet for Gold Coast. Twelve straight wins relationship again to 2016 included some absolute beltings and a few heartbreaking losses, together with a one-point defeat at Carrara the place the Suns led by a aim on the 30-minute mark and nonetheless misplaced by a degree.

However the brand new version of Gold Coast that reached finals for the primary time final 12 months beat Melbourne twice alongside the way in which, together with a close to 10-goal win at headquarters.

The Dees are coming off a morale-boosting comeback win over Carlton, and the Suns have some huge outs, however Damien Hardwick’s males go into this as favourites to make it three on the bounce in opposition to the Purple and the Blue.

One of many frustrations of the Gold Coast Suns in earlier years was their frequent sturdy begins to seasons earlier than an inevitable late fade.

Final 12 months issues modified. The Suns began 4-0 and have been nonetheless 8-2 after 10 video games.

Although that they had a late blip, they made historical past on the Gold Coast by qualifying for a first-ever finals after which profitable on the highway in opposition to Fremantle in an elimination last.

Expectations have lifted for this season, significantly with the arrival of Christian Petracca. The Suns have to this point taken care of Geelong, West Coast and Richmond, all by margins of greater than 50 factors.

The query is are they that good or have that they had a mushy begin? Geelong appeared a little bit underdone in opening spherical, whereas the Tigers and the Eagles usually are not world-beaters.

Successful once more on the MCG, and displaying they will win with out the duo of Petracca and Humphrey can be a begin.

The distinction between being 4-0 and 3-1 going into Collect Spherical could possibly be essential, given the Suns must face Sydney and Hawthorn within the subsequent three weeks.

No late adjustments to the edges, which you’ll be able to see right here.

Over the weekend, the Demons confirmed an damage to Bayley Fritsch, who’s out with foot soreness. Fritsch kicked six targets over the past two video games, together with 4 in Melbourne’s comeback win over Carlton, so he will probably be missed.

Additionally out is Changkuoth Jiath (calf) and final week’s debutant Paddy Cross (thumb).

In to the facet come Bailey Laurie within the ahead line, plus the skilled Jake Melksham and key defender Daniel Turner.

For the Suns, at present will probably be one other take a look at of their depth. With Bailey Humphrey suspended and Christian Petracca recovering from a hamstring damage, Gold Coast selectors have pulled a shock transfer by omitting Alex Davies, who has been one of many workforce’s greatest in-and-under midfielders this season.

So far as ins go, nevertheless, they do not get a lot greater than Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell, who returns after a nasty finger damage.

Additionally coming in are Lachie Gulbin and tall ahead Jed Walter.

Good afternoon and welcome to ABC’s stay on-line protection of spherical 4 of the AFL.

First-up at present, the ladder-leading Gold Coast Suns are enjoying on the MCG for the final time (within the home-and-away season not less than), as they tackle the Melbourne Demons.

In a while this night, our second match is a little bit up the highway at Docklands. The opposite undefeated workforce left within the AFL, the Western Bulldogs, will face Essendon.

My title is Andrew McGarry and I will be taking you thru the motion.

Let’s soar in!