Gold Coast Suns chance to make history after making VFL’s biggest stage

The Gold Coast Suns are a step closer to claiming their first bit of silverware as they have won their way into the VFL grand final.

The Gold Coast Suns are a step closer to claiming their first bit of silverware as they have won their way into the VFL grand final.

The Suns, who finished minor premiers this season, were too good on Saturday against the Box Hill Hawks at Heritage Bank Stadium, winning the preliminary final by 15 points.

Suns coach Josh Drummond said he was really impressed with how the players responded when challenged.

”There was a few times in the game it looked like we were going to break away but they kept coming back and asking questions of us,” Drummond said.

“The ability to respond and keep chipping away, keep digging in and high quality finals game, the boys should take a lot of experience from that.

Mabior Chol of the Suns celebrates a goal during the 2023 VFL Preliminary Final match between the Gold Coast SUNS and The Box Hill Hawks at Heritage Bank Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Box Hill kicked that first goal in the final quarter and got within a few points and I just thought this will be good to see how they respond.

“It was a good challenge because they had the momentum and were definitely coming at us.

“So our ability to dominate the game and get the ball on our terms and kick away a little bit, I thought was a massive step in the right direction.

“Everyone was really happy, first grand final for the footy club and the players soaked it up for about 30-40 minutes before we moved on and now focus on this week ahead.”

Flying out of the box early, the Suns kicked the opening three goals of the game before the Hawks responded, giving the Suns just a two-point lead into the first break.

Mabior Chol did everything he could to prove why he should remain on an AFL list, kicking 5.4 from 11 marks and 16 disposals.

Chol’s fifth goal came from a spectacular grab over Hawks Denver Grainger-Barras early in the fourth quarter, giving the Suns a 12 point lead.

“Some weeks all players get a bite of it and other weeks it is just one persons turn while others still play a crucial role,” Drummond said.

“He was outstanding in his ability to compete forward of the ball.

“He has been really good for us for a good chunk of the year and especially the back end of the year and was great to see him get some reward yesterday.”

Midfielders Charlie Constable and captain James Tsitas were influential all day, leading the Suns disposal count with 25 and 24 a piece.

The Suns midfield dominance was on full display, winning the hit outs (55-24) and clearances (42-29) convincingly.

It sets up a mouth-watering grand final between Werribee Tigers and the Suns on Sunday September 24 at Ikon Park.

The last time the two teams met in round nine, with the Tigers won the close encounter by just two points.

A goal late by Tigers’ Hudson Garoni put them in front with only seconds remaining.

“We certainly learned off it, it was a high quality game and they had momentum in the back half of the game,” Drummond said.

“There are certainly something's we would like to have our time back, especially in that last quarter.

“But that is part of growing into a season and learning (from mistakes).”

The Tigers are currently on a 17 game winning streak, having last lost to Geelong in round four.