Gold Coast have withstood a fourth-quarter onslaught from Hawthorn at the MCG, downing the Hawks by 16 points in a rollercoaster AFL clash.
The Suns recorded a 13.17 (95) to 12.7 (79) win, their second victory this season over the Hawks.
Down by 32 points at Saturday afternoon’s final break, the Hawks surged to life with recalled big man Tim O’Brien booting two goals in five minutes.
Jack Gunston followed it up with consecutive majors to reduce the deficit to single figures, before Hawks rookie Kaiden Brand conceded a 50m penalty for impeding Ben Ainsworth’s set shot in the dying minutes. Ainsworth then kicked truly for goal.
The result leaves the Hawks stranded in 16th place on four wins and eight losses, with a nightmare Adelaide Oval clash with the ladder-leading Crows after next week’s bye.
It was far from the 86-point drubbing they copped on Gold Coast’s home turf in round three but the defeat nonetheless drives another nail in the coffin for the Hawks’ finals hopes.
The game had looked all but over at three-quarter time, with the Suns having dominating play.
Midfield maestro Gary Ablett – dominant in their previous meeting – again put on a clinic, finishing with 37 disposals, 10 tackles, eight clearances and two goals.
Off-contract key defender Steven May was also imposing, taking seven of his 13 marks during a dominant first quarter, while tall forward duo Tom Lynch and Peter Wright booted two goals apiece.
Gold Coast had only won two of their 11 games at the MCG, but immediately looked the more self-assured of the two sides, opening up a 25-point lead at halftime.
Gunston booted three of his five goals in the final term to give the Hawks a pulse, while tough midfielder Tom Mitchell and silky veteran Shaun Burgoyne were again consistent contributors.
But the Hawks had the same problems that have plagued them all season – a lack of run, too many skill errors and not enough contributors.
Former skipper Luke Hodge was a last-minute withdrawal after suffering groin soreness earlier in the week.
He was replaced by wingman Billy Hartung, while forward Luke Breust (gastro) also withdrew and was replaced by Kade Stewart.
