Game-Changer ... Charlie Dixon helped turn the game in the Suns' favour. Source: AAP
A dominant third quarter led a near-full strength Gold Coast outfit to a 25-point AFL trial win on Saturday over an injury-stricken Melbourne.
| All times are listed in EDT | ||||||||
James Sellar had three for the visitors.
Gold Coast welcomed back big guns Ablett, Karmichael Hunt and Jarrod Harbrow in a tough final hitout before the regular season played at the unusual time of 11.50am (AEST) with the temperature nudging 30 degrees.
And it didn't take long for Ablett to get into the game, with the 2009 Brownlow medallist slotting through a pin-perfect kick from a tough angle on the right flank.
In contrast, the Demons limped into the game with a shopping list of injury problems, headed by the absences of co-captain Jack Trengove and superboot Mitch Clark.
The Suns controlled the mid-field in the opening quarter and enjoyed a wealth of forward running, but were cruelled by basic errors that cost them the chance to mount scoreboard pressure.
That was highlighted by Aaron Hall who broke away from the pack only to shank a straight-forward goal attempt in front, with Melbourne taking a 2.3 (15) to 1.0 (6) lead into the first break.
The Demons then piled on two quick goals early in the second quarter through Cameron Pederson and Mark Jamar to open up a 21-point lead before Hall took a great mark in traffic and converted to stem the bleeding.
Goals to Ablett and Harbrow locked the scores up and Gold Coast had plenty of chances to push out to a big lead but missed four further shots at goal, instead heading into the main break ahead by just two points.
Melbourne goaled first through Sellar but it did not get any better than that for the visitors, with the Suns piling on five unanswered goals - including two from brilliant Dixon marks - to streak away to a 25-point lead at the final change.
The two teams went goal for goal in the final term, but the damage done in the third quarter was too much for the Demons to overcome.
Meanwhile, Port Adelaide upset reigning premiers Sydney by 30 points in Saturday's trial match in Adelaide.
The Power stormed home in the last quarter with four goals to Sydney's one and won 15.12 (102) to 10.12 (72) before 5103 spectators at AAMI Stadium.
Port, who last week downed West Coast, were inspired by captain Travis Boak, who kicked three goals in a best-afield display.
His teammates Kane Mitchell and Aaron Young each kicked two majors while onballer Brad Ebert and Justin Westhoff were influential.
Sydney stalwart Adam Goodes and Luke Parker both potted two goals while Josh Kennedy and Jarrad McVeigh were standouts in the midfield.
The Power, who haven't made the finals since 2007, lost John Butcher to a suspected hand injury as the key forward made his first AFL appearance this year after hip surgery.
Port controlled the early stages with Boak kicking two goals and gathering 14 disposals to halftime and his teammates Hamish Hartlett and Brad Ebert prominent.
Port led 7.5 to 4.7 at the main break as Sydney lacked spark and managed just one goal in the second term.
The Swans clicked into gear in the third quarter, reducing the margin to one point by booting three quick goals.
Port midfielder Mitchell then pushed his claims to be elevated from the rookie list in time for the premiership season with two goals in 60 seconds, and Daniel Stewart kicked another, to restore the Power's advantage.
Two late goals to Sydney, by Ben McGlynn and Parker, reduced their deficit to seven points at three-quarter time but Port sealed their victory with the initial three goals of the last term.
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