Gold Coast overcome wayward goalkicking, beat West Coast for first time in club history

PETER Wright displayed nerves of steel while all around him were crumbling to help Gold Coast snatch a three-point victory over West Coast.

Peter Wright celebrates a goal against West Coast.

IN recent weeks the Suns have hoisted the white flag in the face of momentum swings, on Saturday Peter Wright calmly raised the umpires’ flags to snatch a come-from-behind three point victory over West Coast.

Wright displayed nerves of steel to slot a 45m goal to put the Suns two points in front with a minute thirty left on the clock.

Captain Tom Lynch immediately put himself behind the ball and under his command the Suns were able to wipe time off the clock.

MATCH CENTRE: FULL SCORES, STATS AND SUPERCOACH SCORES

Lynch had the ball in his hands when the siren sounded to give the Suns the 11.14 (80) 11.11 (77) victory, their fourth of the season, in front of 11,402 at Metricon Stadium.

It wasn’t the prettiest of games but was significant for a side that has a tendency to surrender when momentum swings against them.

The Suns should also be applauded for adhering to a high-possession game plan designed to stop the run of goals that have characterised recent losses.

Adam Saad tackles Elliot Yeo at Metricon Stadium.

Coach Rodney Eade conceded the errors of recent weeks were still there in a sloppy and low-scoring game but praises his side for their fight back.

“What we had served up the previous weeks could have been soul destroying,’’ Eade said.

“So I think it is a step forward in that area.

“I think we will still be inconsistent at times, depending on our mix of experience and whatever, but I think it was a step forward in what we are trying to get through.

“To be able to hang in there, there are going to be rough periods during games, form wise individually and as a team, and we just have to stick to what we know and how we want to play but also we have to hang in there mentally and I think we did that and that was really pleasing.’’

Jarryd Lyons and Aaron Hall celebrate a goal against West Coast.

The Suns led by 14 points at three-quarter time but then came the all too common lapse as they allowed the Eagles to kick the next four goals to be staring down the barrel of another defeat.

The nature of the goals must have had Eade wondering if his players listen to anything he says.

Lewis Jetta waltzed out of a stoppage and into the goal square for the first of the final term. Then Drew Petrie took an uncontested mark in the middle of a bunch of confused Suns defenders and converted for the second.

But the Suns refused to drop their heads.

Pearce Hanley and Will Brodie celebrate their first win as Suns.

Pearce Hanley’s desperation to win a one on two contest deep in the final quarter characterised their spirit.

“I thought he was terrific,’’ Eade said.

“Having that poise and ability to hit a target, make good decisions, really helps us. I was really pleased for him.

“He’s had a rough trot at the start of the year and hasn’t had a good run at it..

“I think if we hadn’t have played him last week he wouldn’t have performed like he did today. I think getting that game under his belt helped him.’’

VOTES

3. Peace Hanley

2. Gary Ablett

1. Sam Mitchell

BEST

SUNS: P.Hanley, G.Ablett, J.Harbrow, J.Leslie, T.Lynch

EAGLES: S.Mitchell, D.Sheed, E.Yeo, L.Shuey, L.Jetta, A.Gaff

Originally published as Gold Coast overcome wayward goalkicking, beat West Coast for first time in club history