Greater Western Sydney has survived a mighty scare to hold off a brave Gold Coast and win by eight points in a thrilling contest at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
Trailing by four points with five minutes remaining, the GIANTS relied on quick goals from Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene to sneak home, 14.8 (92) to 13.6 (84).
The win keeps them in third place with three rounds remaining.
The GIANTS won, but the Suns were heroic in defeat.
Already undermanned with their seven best midfielders on the sidelines, Gold Coast had Alex Sexton (corked thigh) and Tom Nicholls (knee) barely able to run for most of the night but battling on regardless.
Nicholls was particularly courageous, sustaining a PCL injury but continuing to wage ruck war with Shane Mumford for four quarters.
Gold Coast led by six points at every change – and the scores were tied on seven occasions - but the GIANTS' running power late in the match was just enough.
Coach Leon Cameron is happy to take the four premiership points back to Sydney, but says his team had to work the entire way.
"From where we've come from, any win is fantastic," Cameron said.
"The competition's hard. We've been on the road for four weeks in a row, so that's a big task for us.
"There's no doubt that some of our boys, their energy levels are a little off.
"But in saying that, the brand that the Suns played today was really good.
"Credit to our boys, (they) found a way. We need to find a way when wins don't always work out perfectly for you."
Stephen Coniglio (33 disposals) and Tom Scully (28) were all class for the victors, while Cameron's four goals were crucial.
Steve Johnson was a cool head in a tight match with his 17 disposals, two goals and two assists, while Toby Greene's contribution (22, two goals and three assists) cannot be undervalued.
For the Suns, stand-in skipper Steve May was a colossus in defence, finishing with 27 touches and 14 marks – many of them intercepts.
Tom Lynch kicked four goals to join Lance Franklin on top of the Coleman Medal table with 61, while Jarrod Harbrow (24) and Jack Martin (22) were also key contributors.
Gold Coast hardly had a poor player.
Coach Rodney Eade said he was disappointed for his players they couldn't get over the line, but was proud of their efforts.
"To be able to do that against nearly a full-strength team, who are second on the ladder, probably the best running team in the competition, it was just a game of courage and grit," Eade said.
"Our contest, our ability to work for each other, I thought the spirit shown from the group, I must admit I thought it was amazing.
"I thought they were terrific."
It was a fantastic contest, free-flowing for most of the night, and both teams were frantic.
The GIANTS knew they were in for a battle from the opening 30 seconds when Lynch kicked his first goal.
The Suns had three goals on the board inside the opening five minutes as GWS looked half asleep.
Once they joined the contest, the teams put on some of the best footy seen at Metricon Stadium this season.
The ball went from one end to the other as the teams traded goals.
MEDICAL ROOM
Gold Coast: Sexton had a rough start to his night, feeling some tightness in his hamstring and then collected a big cork to his thigh. He got the injury strapped up and played at full forward, but was barely able to move before being taken off once and for all at three quarter time. He is expected to be fine for next week though. Nicholls is a little worse off, doing his PCL early in the match but battling on regardless. He had it iced after the game and is in doubt for next week.
Greater Western Sydney: The only minor concern for the GIANTS came with Cameron, who appeared to hurt his hip in the third quarter. The star forward came back on though to kick the go-ahead goal late in the match and coach Leon Cameron said he was fine.
NEXT UP
After a month on the road, GWS return home to Spotless Stadium next Saturday to take on West Coast. The GIANTS will be chasing another win to continue their pursuit of a top four finish. Gold Coast heads south for the first of back-to-back games in Melbourne when it plays Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
GOLD COAST 5.2 9.5 12.6 13.6 (84)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.2 8.5 11.6 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Lynch 4, Matera 2, Davis 2, Wright 2, Nicholls, Hallahan, Garlett
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 4, Johnson 2, Patton 2, Greene 2, Smith, Reid, Ward, Lobb
BEST
Gold Coast: May, Harbrow, Kolodjashnij, Lynch, Martin, Ah Chee
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio, Scully, Johnson, Williams, Patton, Greene
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Sexton (corked quad), Nicholls (knee)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Deboy, Chamberlain, Meredith
Official crowd: 9,108 at Metricon Stadium
