A dominant Gold Coast Suns scored a sensational victory over a lacklustre Geelong team in the second match of the Opening Round of Season 2026.
Geelong were completely outplayed by a classy and very speedy Suns team leaving the Cats wallowing in their wake. Admittedly Geelong had a number of big-name players out injured, however the Suns were without their prime mover, reigning Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell.
Rowell’s replacement in the engine room was new recruit Christian Petracca and what a replacement he proved to be! A best on ground performance saw him recapture his very best form after some lean seasons at his previous club Melbourne. His precise and numerous, driving deliveries of the ball into the forward line provided his team mates with ample opportunities to score, and had the Suns’ supporters in raptures. Petracca is already a huge asset for the Suns and adds further polish to any already polished team.
Mac Andrew provided the highlight of the game. Everyone held their breath as he soared ‘higher than Joe Cocker’ over the pack and onto an opponent’s shoulders in what would have been the Mark of the Century. Unfortunately, the ball slipped from his fingers but it was still an incredible attempt by him.
The speed at which the Suns moved the ball to maintain possession and direct the ball forward through the corridor was impressive and completely blindsided a normally controlling Geelong. Geelong teams in recent years strived to dictate the game on their terms and control the tempo of the game. The Suns negated this aspect through speedy and precise use of the ball, rarely allowing a flatfooted Geelong the chance to consider their options, in fact if Geelong had any options at all.
Although it is only the first game of the season, the Suns are looking extremely likely to be one of the big improvers this season while an aging Geelong may perhaps slide and see this season as being one of transition. Who knows, we’ll find out in 24 weeks time.
GOLD COAST 7.1 11.5 18.8 19.11 (125)
GEELONG 2.2 4.5 5.7 10.9 (69)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Humphrey 4, King 4, Petracca 3, Long 2, Noble 2, Lombard 2, Miller, Anderson
Geelong: Dempsey 4, Henry 2, Neale, Mannagh, Knevitt, Clark
BEST
Gold Coast: Petracca, Noble, Miller, Humphrey, Rioli, Anderson
Geelong: Bruhn, Dempsey, O’Sullivan, Worpel
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Geelong: Nil
Crowd: 19,859 at People First Stadium
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Almost 20, 000 people seems like a big crowd. The AFL will blow their trumpets proclaiming this,
What ever happened to gate receipts?
Glen!