Gold Coast ended a week of drama with just their second win of the season on Saturday, a 55-point thrashing of North Melbourne.
After another horrific week for the Suns, in which leaked photos allegedly showed star player Harley Bennell with lines of white powder in a Tasmanian hotel room, they ended a seven-match losing streak with an excellent performance.
The return of Gary Ablett undoubtedly helped, with the Gold Coast skipper booting three goals and winning 31 disposals in the 19.11 (125) to 10.10 (70) triumph.
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Kade Kolodjashnij was also excellent, with 28 disposals, while key forward Charlie Dixon kicked seven goals for the Suns.
The Suns were rarely troubled against a surprisingly lacklustre Kangaroos outfit and, at one stage, led by as much as 29 points in a dominant first half.
Three North Melbourne goals helped trim the margin back to 11 points at half-time and they appeared to have all the momentum at that stage – only for Gold Coast to fire straight back with three of its own at the start of the third term.
The Kangaroos were never a chance from then on, and the margin blew out as the Suns basked in the glory of an eight-goal final quarter.
The only highlight from a North Melbourne perspective was Lindsay Thomas’ mark-of-the-year contender early on, when he rode Adam Saad like a chairlift – and then crashed head-on into the ground, shaken and unable to take his kick.
Drew Petrie kicked three goals for the Kangaroos, while Nick Dal Santo had 32 disposals.
As was the case in all of Saturday’s matches – and Friday’s clash between Hawthorn and Collingwood – no banners were held pre-game and no club songs played.
All players linked in a circle on the middle of the ground after each match and bowed their heads in silence for Adelaide coach Phil Walsh, who was murdered on Friday.
In Darwin, West Coast returned to second on the ladder with a comfortable 16.18 (114) to 9.6 (60) success over Melbourne.
The Eagles never gave up the lead after moving in front midway through the first quarter, although the Demons were within 20 points at the final change.
West Coast booted six last-quarter goals to add polish to their victory, though, with forward Jack Darling kicking five.
Andrew Gaff continued his stellar season with 28 disposals in midfield, while Chris Masten (27 disposals) and Sharrod Wellingham (24 disposals) also impressed.
Nathan Jones (29 disposals) and Dom Tyson (26 disposals) were Melbourne’s best.
And at Etihad Stadium, the Bulldogs edged Carlton to record a scrappy 9.10 (64) to 7.11 (53) victory.
Carlton led by three points at the main break but a three-goal-to-none third term would prove crucial for the Bulldogs, who were led by Matthew Boyd in his 250th game.
Boyd had 31 disposals and kicked a goal and only team-mate Liam Picken (33 disposals) had more of the ball. Jake Stringer booted three majors for the victors.
Carlton kicked three last-quarter goals but it wasn’t enough to record their third win in a row under interim coach John Barker.
Dennis Armfield was Carlton’s only multiple goalkicker, with two, while Ed Curnow and Kade Simpson won 28 disposals each.
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