Geelong fends off gallant Gold Coast to record 27-point win, but Gary Ablett could be in hot water again

Geelong have fended off a spirited Gold Coast to secure a point 27-point win but once again could be under threat of losing Gary Ablett to suspension.

Gary Ablett could be in hot water for an incident involving Anthony Miles. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England.

Geelong have fended off a spirited Gold Coast to secure a point 27-point win but once again could under threat of losing Gary Ablett to suspension.

Ablett is likely to be in the spotlight again by the match review officer after catching Suns midfielder Anthony Miles high in a tussle off the ball in the third quarter of Geelong’s 13.13 (91) to 9.10 (64) win in front of 13,144 spectators at Metricon Stadium.

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The dual-Brownlow Medallist has come under scrutiny twice in recent weeks for raising his elbow but escaped suspension both times.

The league’s most dominant side was without Patrick Dangerfield but possessed the stock to be the first to truly break open a stubborn Suns outfit who have proven to no longer be the walkovers of previous years.

It took until late in the fourth quarter for the Cats to deliver the killer blow that delivered the win.

Tom Hawkins and Gary Ablett celebrate a goal during Geelong’s win against Gold Coast. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

Gold Coast started the game with a clear intent to increase their physicality and get in the faces of the Cats. They had double the clearances but five less forward 50m entries than the Cats.

Incredibly, the Suns led for the bulk of the first term before their former captain and four-time club champion Gary Ablett exploded from a contest and snapped a goal on his left foot to level scores going into the break.

Suns forward Ben Ainsworth left the field midway through the opening quarter with an ankle injury but returned in the second before eventually succumbing in the third.

Mark Blicavs (right) of the Cats palms off Suns captain David Swallow (left). Picture: AAP Image/Darren England).

Just two goals were scored by either side in the second term but it was the Cats who held on to a slim three-point advantage going into halftime.

Tom Hawkins was isolated with Jack Hombsch in the goalsquare and despite the undersized Suns defender battling manfully, the Cats key forward managed two goal in the opening two terms and looked menacing.

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At the other end Alex Sexton had three goals to his name going into the main break.

Gold Coast suffered a second-half meltdown against Port Adelaide last week but held steady in the third against the Cats with the score changing multiple times in a quarter where the margin didn’t go past six points in Geelong’s favour.

Two more goals to Hawkins gave Geelong breathing space while majors to Mitch Duncan and James Parsons iced the game over a Suns team that continues to defy the odds and take it to the competition’s best.