Gold Coast’s horror season continues, losing to Carlton by 13 points at Marvel Stadium for their ninth straight defeat.
Trailing by 12 points at the final break, the Suns opened the final quarter with three consecutive goals to regain the lead.
But the final term followed the first three quarters – Gold Coast started strongly, before the Blues pulled away at the end of the term.
George Hewett scored the big goal, while off-season signing Will Hayward scored 16.14 (110) to 15.7 (97) for the Blues with five minutes remaining.
Premier League leaders at the start of the season after a strong start in March, as well as a semi-final exit last year, the Suns’ campaign has fallen into disarray.
Two weeks after coach Damien Hardwick prematurely declared the Gold Coast’s season over, this time he could be right.
The Suns have fallen to 7-12 and 14 in the standings, two games out of the wild card spot with just four rounds remaining.
But Carlton, which started the season 1-8 and dealt with the departure of coach Michael Voss, has jumped to 10th with a 9-10 record, giving them a strong chance to make the finals.
The Blues’ midfield dominated Gold Coast for most of the day, captain Patrick Cripps, Hewett (three goals, 24 disposals), Jagga Smith (31 touches) and Sam Walsh (31) all decisive.
The Sun Stars had their moments, but they couldn’t last long enough.
Suns captain Noah Anderson stood up, setting up the second-year contender in the second term when he dodged traffic and slid in for a neat finish.
But Anderson’s influence in the second half waned, as his rival captain – Cripps – went to another level.
Cripps was awarded 15 of his 30 possessions and scored a crucial third-quarter touchdown.
In his 150th game, veteran Carlton fullback Nic Newman finished early after injuring a hamstring trying to tackle a loose ball.
AAP
