Five things we learnt from Gold Coast Suns loss to Melbourne Demons

Gold Coast came agonisingly close to beating Melbourne and evening up their ledger at 4-4. Instead, the Suns sit at 3-5 after falling to the Demons by a point in their Round 8 encounter at Metricon Stadium. Here are five things we learnt from the game.

Gold Coast came agonisingly close to beating Melbourne and evening up their ledger at 4-4.

Instead, the Suns sit at 3-5 after falling to the Demons by a point in their Round 8 encounter at Metricon Stadium.

Here are five things we learnt from the game.

VALUE OF RUNNER: It took until the first break for Suns coach Stuart Dew to be able to arrest the team’s structural problems that were gifting Melbourne clear passage down the ground. The runner would have been able to stop the bleeding during the term in the past and the Suns leaders weren’t able to solve it on their own.

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WRIGHT WAY: It’s clear Peter Wright is building into his season. Questions were being asked of the key forward’s impact and form but he took another step forward against the Demons. He was stronger in contests and took marks over his direct opponents more often in key moments.

Peter Wright of the Suns celebrates a goal during the round eight AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Melbourne Demons at Metricon Stadium on May 11, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

RESTED LUKOSIUS: Top draft pick Jack Lukosius had his best game of the season for Gold Coast and looked much more comfortable at AFL level. His field kicking is nothing short of superb, his movement and leading were elite and his marking was strong. The decision to rest the 18-year-old last week has clearly worked.

AFL - Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast Suns at Adelaide Oval. Jack Lukosius gets his first AFL goal. Picture SARAH REED

FREE KICK SET UP: Gold Coast are vulnerable after conceding free kicks around the ground. They are too slow to set up after giving them away and get caught out when opposition are quick to go forward, gifting them an extra man from the outset.

Pearce Hanley of the Suns kicks during the round eight AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Melbourne Demons at Metricon Stadium on May 11, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

UNLUCKY LEMMENS: Sean Lemmens looks to have added another chapter to his horror run of injuries. In his first game back at AFL level from an ankle injury Lemmens was left clutching at his left ankle in the aftermath of a contest in the opening stages of the third quarter. The 24-year-old pressure forward hurt his hamstring and then fractured his wrist last year and his luck hasn’t improved in 2019.

Sean Lemmens of the Suns handballs during the round eight AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Melbourne Demons at Metricon Stadium on May 11, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)