Gary Ablett endures a nightmare 250th match as Gold Coast prove too strong form Melbourne

MATCH REPORT: GOLD Coast captain Gary Ablett endures a nightmare 250th match but the Suns still prove a class above Melbourne.

WHAT was supposed to be a night to remember for Gary Ablett became one he would largely like to forget despite an injury-hit Gold Coast holding on to a 13-point AFL win over lowly Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

What was supposed to be "The Gary Ablett Show'' quickly became painful viewing as a sloppy Suns fell short of producing a display worthy of celebrating the Brownlow Medallist's 250th game.

The Sun will also wrap Nathan Bock in cotton wool for the remainder of the season after he struggled through his second game back from a broken leg.

The Suns finished with just one on the bench but had enough run to finish 13.12 (90) to 10.17 (77) victors in front of a crowd of 13,840.

It was the first time they had beaten the same side twice in a season.

Alex Sexton was assisted from the field and taken straight to hospital with a dislocated shoulder suffered in a nasty melee early in the final quarter while Sam Day sat out the end of the game with a leg injury.

Steven May was forced to play out the game with a hamstring injury.

The MRP might look closely at the actions of Demon Mitch Clisby who threw Sexton to the ground to spark the final quarter melee while Suns veteran Campbell Brown may also be scrutinised for a second-quarter incident where a stray boot collected James Strauss in the face.

Danny Stanley

Bock was limping throughout the opening half and had just one possession before he was subbed-out at the main break.

He is due to have the pin that was inserted when he broke his leg in Round 6 last year removed at the end of the season but the Suns are likely to draw an end to his campaign now.

It was a tough day at the office for Ablett, who was manhandled throughout the night and was held to just 19 touches.

The man who is renowned for taking hourly ice baths the night after games may have decided just to sleep in a cool room such was the working over he got from the Demons who arrived with the intent to ruin the Suns skipper’s big night 

Jordie McKenzie and Colin Garland were given run-with roles but it was clearly a Demons’ team focus.

The Suns made hard work of a game most expected to be a walkover after their comprehensive ten goal victory at the MCG earlier in the year.

Jack Fitz

The Demons fought to the finish and even temporarily captured the lead late in the third quarter after a goal to Jack Fitzpatrick.

Both sides were guilty of poor conversion. Demon goal sneak Shannon Byrne sprayed 1.5 while Suns Aaron Hall and Harley Bennell both booted 1.4.

David Swallow was superb for the Suns while Bennell and Dion Prestia were also productive.

Jack Watts was excellent for Melbourne while Nathan Jones toiled hard in the midfield to keep the Demons in the game for as long as they were.