The Gold Coast Suns delivered a statement win on Saturday afternoon, demolishing Melbourne by 58 points in a dominant Round 3 performance at the MCG.

Gold Coast Suns 18.12 (120) def. Melbourne Demons 8.14 (62)

It was a historic afternoon for the Suns, who snapped a 12-game losing streak against the Demons and claimed their first win over Melbourne since 2014. After a tight first half, Gold Coast exploded in the second, piling on 14 goals to just two and silencing the MCG crowd.

Midfield bull Matt Rowell was best on ground with a monster performance. He racked up 36 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 13 clearances (nine from the centre), and eight inside 50s. Alongside him, Noah Anderson added 35 touches in a midfield masterclass that outgunned Melbourne’s more experienced engine room.

Ben King spearheaded the attack, booting four goals, while the Suns shared the scoring load with 11 individual goalkickers. Their ball movement and pressure around the contest overwhelmed a disjointed Melbourne side.

Controversy erupted late in the third quarter when Will Graham slotted a goal for Gold Coast that appeared to be kicked after the siren. The umpire allowed the score to stand, infuriating Melbourne fans and players and further shifting momentum in the Suns’ favour.

The Demons now find themselves 0–3 to start the season for the first time since 2019. Despite the efforts of Clayton Oliver, who finished with 31 disposals, Melbourne’s forward inefficiency and defensive lapses proved costly. They managed just 8 goals from 22 scoring shots in a flat performance.

The loss has sparked debate about the club’s direction, with some commentators suggesting that the era of midfield dominance may be over for the Dees. Coach Simon Goodwin faces questions about structure, consistency, and whether a deeper rebuild may be looming.

For Gold Coast, the win boosts belief under new leadership and signals their potential as a rising force in 2025. The manner of the victory — away from home, against a seasoned opponent — marks a turning point that could define their season.

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