Match

Gold Coast Suns vs North Melbourne

Commentary / 01 Jul 2017

Pre Game

59:30

Welcome to Metricon Stadium for the Gold Coast Suns v North Melbourne Round 15 clash.

59:33

Outs for Suns: D.Macpherson, M.Shaw, J.Joyce

59:34

Ins for Suns: G.Ablett, M.Rosa, R.Davis

59:35

Outs for Kangaroos: M.Williams, B.Cunnington, T.Dumont

59:36

Ins for Kangaroos: L.Thomas, M.Hibberd, C.Wagner

59:40

Don't forget to enter your tips for this match, you have until the bounce to make your selection.

00:00

North Melbourne has been aggressive with the ball in its defensive half, directing 22 percent of its defensive 50 rebounds through the corridor (ranked second), and having the lowest kick-to-handball ratio in the defensive half.

Quarter 1

00:00

Q1 is now underway.

00:59

The first goal of the game follows a strong mark from Ben Brown. The Kangaroos have scored 53 percent of their goals from set shots this season, which is the highest percentage of any side.

03:26

Two inside 50s for the Kangaroos have resulted in two marks and goals to start the game. North Melbourne has scored from only 40 percent of its inside 50s when traveling interstate this season (ranked last).

04:26

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Ben Brown)

05:46

The Kangaroos leas the contested possession count 11-2 to start the game, and have had six of the first seven inside 50s in a fast start.

06:28

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Taylor Garner)

08:14

Brayden Fiorini missing the Suns first shot at goal after taking their first forward 50 mark. Fiorini collected career-highs of 23 uncontested possessions and 11 marks against the Saints last week.

09:42

Gold Coast has made a sloppy start defensively. The Suns have already missed two tackles, and only been effective with two of their other eight tackle attempts.

10:46

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Peter Wright)

11:02

Some good tackling from Jack Martin forced the turnover that launched the first goal for Gold Coast. The Suns average just 26 points per game from forward half intercepts (ranked second last).

12:52

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Jack Martin)

13:07

An excellent snap from Jack Martin gives the Suns their second goal, this time from a possession chain started in the defensive 50. The Suns have generated an inside 50 from 22 percent of their defensive 50 chains this season (ranked equal third).

15:20

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (Tom J. Lynch)

16:18

After a scratchy first few minutes, the Suns have generated eight of the last nine inside 50 entries and scored three goals during this period.

17:25

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Ben Brown)

17:59

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Nathan Hrovat)

18:22

A clever finish by Hrovat gives the lead back to the Kangaroos. Hrovat has collected 25 loose ball-gets in North Melbournes forward half this season, which is the most by any player at the club.

19:43

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Jarrad Waite)

20:07

North Melbourne has now generated seven scores from just the ten forward 50 entries. The Suns have allowed their opposition to score a goal from 28 percent of inside 50s this season, which is the equal second-highest percentage conceded.

21:23

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (Gary Ablett)

22:53

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Ben Ainsworth)

23:02

Marley Williams the late out for the Kangaroos has guarded the opposition small forward this season. In his absence, Ben Ainsworth already has four score involvements for Gold Coast (including two goals).

24:04

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Mason Wood)

24:27

North Melbourne has scored 1.3.(9) from five centre bounce clearances. Gold Coast has not scored from any of its four centre bounce clearances. The Kangaroos are ranked third at scoring from this source.

24:57

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Tom J. Lynch)

27:13

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Tom J. Lynch)

28:02

The Suns now have two first quarter goals from forward half stoppages and 26 points from forward half chains. Gold Coast average just 41 points per game from this such chains (ranked 16th).

29:42

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Taylor Garner)

30:42

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (Sean Lemmens)

32:11

The siren has sounded to end Q1.

32:21

The Kangaroos have been fast starters this season, scoring 28.3 points in the opening quarter (ranked second). They have matched this in the first quarter today, but for the second week in a row have conceded six goals in the opening quarter.

Quarter 2

00:00

Q2 is now underway.

02:39

There has been only one intercept mark taken in this match by either team. The AFL average is 14 intercept marks per team this season.

05:06

Jarryd Lyons is continuing his good form today, and currently has a game-high ten effective disposals and a team-high five contested possessions and three tackles.

06:15

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Jack Martin)

07:00

Gold Coast has punished the North Melbourne turnovers, and now scored 3.2.(20) from eight forward half intercepts. The Suns average 26 points from 22 such intercepts.

09:33

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Tom J. Lynch)

09:44

Five goals in a row the Suns who now have a game-high point lead. Gold Coast has scored 18 points from chains starting in the defensive 50, and average 18.5 points per game from this source (ranked third).

13:26

North Melbourne has already won four holding the ball free kicks today. Gold Coast has been caught holding the ball 68 times this season, which is the most of any team.

13:35

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (Rushed)

16:08

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Ben Ainsworth)

16:29

A terrific opportunistic goal from Ainsworth makes it six in a row for the Suns. The potent young forwards for Gold Coast are having a major scoreboard impact today with Lynch (three goals), Ainsworth (three) and Martin (two) all impressing.

18:15

SCORE GOAL - Suns (David Swallow)

19:50

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (David Swallow)

20:11

In the second quarter, Gold Coast lead the inside 50s 15-5, clearances 8-3, and contested possessions 36-26, and has scored 4.2.(26) to zero this quarter.

22:37

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Corey Wagner)

23:09

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Shaun Atley)

23:19

A terrific run down tackle by Macmillan on Saad as he attempted to bounce set up the first score of the quarter for North Melbourne. Adam Saad has recorded 65 running bounces this season, 26 more than the next best player in the competition.

25:27

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Alex Sexton)

25:44

Luke McDonald and Andrew Swallow have a team-high 11 disposals for the Kangaroos. Gold Coast has six players who have had more than 11 disposals, with its midfield dominant.

27:10

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Corey Wagner)

28:53

North Melbourne finally gets a goal this quarter and it again comes from a stoppage. The Kangaroos lead 22-21 in scores from stoppages, despite trailing the clearances 18-24.

29:58

The siren has sounded to end Q2.

30:08

The Suns have been better when the ball is in dispute, leading 9-3 in one-on-one contest wins, and 78-69 in contested possessions.

Quarter 3

00:00

Q3 is now underway.

00:51

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (Sean Lemmens)

04:11

Gary Ablett already up to 20 disposals in game number 300 today against the Kangaroos . He has averaged more player rating points against North Melbourne (27.8) than against any other team.

05:26

Gold Coast only lead 10-8 in forward 50 marks, but has scored 7.1.(43) from set shots at goal, while North Melbourne has scored 2.4.(16) from its set shots.

05:34

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Luke McDonald)

06:41

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Ryan Clarke)

06:51

North Melbourne has kicked the first goal of the third quarter, and it followed a forward half intercept. The Kangaroos average 29 points from 22 forward half intercepts, and today have 14 points from 12 such intercepts.

08:16

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Alex Sexton)

11:57

Jarryd Lyons giving the Suns great drive and currently has a game-high 15 contested possessions. No other player on the ground has registered ten such possessions.

12:36

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Tom J. Lynch)

13:31

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Ryan Clarke)

13:49

North Melbourne has failed to capitalise on scoring opportunities from centre bounces. The Kangaroos have scored 1.5.(11) from ten centre bounce clearances, while the Suns have scored 0.1.(1) from 11 such clearances.

16:17

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Shaun Higgins)

17:31

After having kicking efficiency of 67 percent in the first half, the Suns have kicked with just 50 percent efficiency this quarter. As a result of this less effective ball movement, North Melbourne lead the inside 50 count 10-6 this quarter.

19:12

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Nathan Hrovat)

21:06

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Taylor Garner)

23:37

North Melbourne has generated seven of the last eight inside 50s, and after scoring four consecutive behinds, has finally scored a goal to cap this period of control.

25:59

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Jarrad Waite)

26:32

Back-to-back goals for the Kangaroos who have been the better team this quarter. North Melbourne lead 18-10 for intercept possessions this quarter, and 16-8 for inside 50s.

29:51

The siren has sounded to end Q3.

30:01

In the first half the Suns were able to generate 11 inside 50s from 25 defensive half chains. In the third quarter, they were only able to generate five inside 50s from 23 such chains with North Melbourne better at disrupting their ball movement.

Quarter 4

00:00

Q4 is now underway.

00:35

Jarryd Lyons has now registered career-highs for contested possessions (19) and disposals (33). Andrew Swallow is the only other player to have recorded ten contested possessions.

01:25

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Jarrad Waite)

01:44

Three goals in a row to the Kangaroos, and four goals now to Waite who has a game-high nine score involvements, and is causing the Suns plenty of problems.

04:28

Since the 13 minute mark of the third quarter, the Kangaroos lead inside 50s (14-3) and have scored 3.4.(22) while keeping Gold Coast scoreless.

05:50

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Brayden Fiorini)

06:04

Good forward pressure by Peter Wright, and a third score assist from Jack Martin ends the run of scores to North Melbourne. The Suns have now scored 38 points from forward half intercepts, a mark they have only beaten once this season.

07:09

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Tom J. Lynch)

07:34

Suns Interchange - Callum Ah Chee off due to an injury.

08:26

While the inside 50 count is relatively even (48-44 in favor of the Suns), Gold Coast lead 39-15 for effective disposals in the forward 50, indicating better quality entries and control.

08:55

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (Sean Lemmens)

11:04

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (Gary Ablett)

12:03

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Mason Wood)

12:25

Gold Coast lead 44-36 for first possession at stoppages, and has converted this into a major 46-27 advantage in clearances.

13:21

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Shaun Higgins)

13:30

Two quick goals to the Kangaroos keeps them in the game. Both of these goals came from chains started in the defensive 50, with the Suns now struggling to stop the ball movement of North Melbourne.

15:00

Kangaroos Interchange - Jarrad Waite off due to an injury.

15:40

North Melbourne has generated an inside 50 from five of its seven defensive 50 chains this quarter with the Suns tiring. In the first three quarters, the Kangaroos generated only four inside 50s from 31 such chains.

17:39

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Ben Ainsworth)

18:05

Another terrific forward 50 tackle (this time from Jack Martin) has set up the Suns for their fourth goal following a forward 50 intercept. Gold Coast has scored a season-high 25 points from this source today.

19:17

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Majak Daw)

20:46

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (Peter Wright)

22:03

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Ben Brown)

22:35

Another goal to the Kangaroos coming from a defensive 50 chain (their third of the quarter). They have now scored a season-high 25 points from such chains.

23:02

SCORE BEHIND - Suns (Sean Lemmens)

24:29

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Majak Daw)

24:40

Four goals this quarter now from defensive 50 chains for the Kangaroos, with the Suns defensive pressure falling away dramatically. The only time this season the Kangaroos have kicked four goals in a game this way was against Gold Coast in round six.

28:20

Gold Coast lead the clearances 15-4 in the final quarter, and it is this dominance which has given it scoring chances against the fast finishing Kangaroos.

28:51

SCORE GOAL - Suns (Touk Miller)

30:10

SCORE GOAL - Suns (David Swallow)

32:18

SCORE GOAL - Kangaroos (Aaron Mullett)

32:25

A flurry of late goals with the Suns dominating clearances (19-4 this quarter), and scores from stoppages 14-0, while the Kangaroos have scored an amazing five goals from defensive 50 chains in the final quarter.

33:23

SCORE BEHIND - Kangaroos (Rushed)

34:06

The siren has sounded to end Q4.

34:16

Gary Ablett finished with 37 disposals, and equal game-highs for clearances (ten) and score involvements (11). Jarryd Lyons also had a prolific game with game-highs for contested possessions (23) and disposals (39).

34:21

Gold Coast has managed to hang on for a deserved win despite fading defensively late in the game. The Suns won the clearances (56-31) which helped give a territorial advantage from which they punished defensive half turnovers by North Melbourne.