What Gold Coast’s defeat to GWS means in AFL finals race

A second upset of round 23 has changed the narrative again as we get closer towards the finals. This time, it was a decisive five-minute patch Gold Coast wish they could get back.

Callum Dick and Lachlan Onions

3 min read

August 16, 2025 - 3:39PM

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Toby Greene was key to the victory. Picture: Getty Images

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It was the five minutes from hell the Gold Coast Suns will wish they could get back.

Because it might end up costing them a place in the top four.

After grinding their way back to within four points in the shadows of half-time, a Ben Long brain snap sparked a GWS avalanche from which the hosts would never recover.

Long might have had reason to feel aggrieved when his clean hip and shoulder on Sam Taylor drew the whistle from umpire Curtis Deboy.

But after the Gold Coast forward doubled-up with a marking contest infringement moments later – and in frustration clapped in the umpire’s face – it was entirely his fault as Deboy marched him 50m down the ground.

In the blink of an eye, Darcy Jones was running into an open goal at the other end and the Giants had some breathing space.

Disappointing yes, but not a disaster for the Suns.

Until Aaron Cadman was hit lace-out from the ensuing centre bounce and kicked truly to extend the margin to 16 points – before unlikely four-goal hero, Harry Rowston, piled on the pain with an after-the-siren set shot from 50m to put the visitors 22 points clear.

Harry Rowston kicked four goals. Picture: Getty Images

Five minutes earlier the Suns were mere metres from hitting the lead. Instead, they went into the major break almost four goals behind.

In fairness, they probably did not deserve to be in front at half-time. Certainly after a diabolical second-half, they did not deserve the four premiership points.

Former GWS skipper Phil Davis declared during the week the Giants held a genuine mental advantage over the Suns, suggesting his former side should and would feel confident despite missing Jesse Hogan, Josh Kelly and Jake Stringer for the crunch clash.

Having won 14 of the past 15 meetings between the two sides, the Giants flexed their earned arrogance early.

Xavier O'Halloran kicks a bomb

It was a match that highlighted the gulf in experience between a battle-hardened, finals-regular and a side yet to face the post-season pressure cooker.

Trying to find a Suns player who managed to break a tackle was almost as difficult as a Giant who missed a set shot.

Max Gruzewski’s goal after the final siren made it 13 goals and just one behind from set shots for the afternoon.

Gold Coast’s normally staunch backline was cut to ribbons by a Giants forward group missing two of its most dangerous pieces in Hogan and Stringer. And at the other end, the Suns’ forwards were suffocated for three quarters.

Toby took flight âœˆï¸@VirginAustralia | #AFLSunsGiants pic.twitter.com/NCgDaqhdOm
— AFL (@AFL) August 16, 2025

Coniglio on the left ðŸ˜²#AFLSunsGiants pic.twitter.com/y7F6mgA8KZ
— AFL (@AFL) August 16, 2025

It took Ben King until mid-way through the third quarter to record his first kick on Taylor, who must again be in the All-Australian conversation after another big scalp.

The Suns’ midfield stars all stuffed the stat sheet but there will be some home truths told during the week after they were outworked – particularly on transition – by their Giants counterparts.

This was a statement victory from the Giants, who were favourites to fall out of the finals race a fortnight ago after their 89-point thrashing at the hands of the Western Bulldogs.

Now, it would take a horror series of events for them not to feature in September.

The Giants would have to be blown away by St Kilda at home next Sunday – and Fremantle defeat the Western Bulldogs later that day – to fall outside the top eight.

With Hogan, Kelly and Brent Daniels all due back before the first week of finals – and Stringer not long after - Adam Kingsley’s side is poised to have a major say in the post-season.

As for the Suns, they could have all-but locked up their maiden finals appearance with a win on Saturday. Instead, they have a six-day break before flying south to play Port Adelaide in Ken Hinkley’s farewell match.