The highlights reel was dominated by Lance Franklin – mostly for the wrong reasons – as the Gold Coast Suns snatched a one-point win over Hawthorn in their pre-season cup round one clash at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
Utility Luke Russell was the hero for the Suns when his behind after the full-time siren sealed a dramatic 0.4.6 (30) to 0.4.5 (29) victory in the opening round robin clash at Carrara.
However, Franklin was the name on everyone’s lips.
The Hawks superstar faces a nervous wait after collecting Suns midfielder Matt Shaw in the head in the second half.
He had earlier made everyone sit up and take notice with some more subtle touches, including a sublime handball that set up a Sam Grimley goal in the second half and kept Hawthorn in touch with upstarts Gold Coast.
The Hawks led 0.2.4 (16) to 0.2.3 (15) at halftime.
Hawthorn – without the likes of captain Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell on the Gold Coast – received another scare when Paul Puopolo was helped off the ground late in the clash with a suspected knee complaint.
The Suns were led by Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett who backflipped and opted to take on Hawthorn rather than the Brisbane Lions in Saturday’s pre-season cup action at Carrara.
Suns coach Guy McKenna said before the match that Ablett was in “ripping nick” and looked to at least match his 2012 form which had him in the mix for Brownlow Medal No.2.
And he lived up to the hype, leading the way with 13 touches while Russell had 10 disposals including the match-winning behind at the death.
For the Hawks, Matt Suckling was impressive with 13 touches while highlight machine Cyril Rioli had his moments in the first half.
Rising stars Jaeger O’Meara and Jack Martin also impressed for the Suns who will later take on arch rivals Brisbane on Saturday night.
Like O’Meara last year, 18-year-old Martin can’t make his AFL debut until next season due to age restrictions but has been granted permission to take part in the NAB Cup.