It was a fairytale finish that delivered Gold Coast a historic win

By Ben Somerford at Optus Stadium

Bailey Humphrey during the Elimination Final between Fremantle and Gold Coast at Optus Stadium, September 6, 2025. Picture: Getty Images

AFTER waiting 15 seasons to make it to September, Gold Coast didn’t waste any time notching up its first finals win, overcoming Fremantle 11.14 (80) to 12.7 (79) in a thrilling elimination final on Saturday night.

The Suns weren’t overawed by the occasion or intimidated by an Optus Stadium packed with purple, but will nonetheless be looking forward to playing in their home state next week as they face Brisbane in a massive semi-final.

DOCKERS v SUNS Full match coverage and stats

Scores were level midway through the second term before the visitors put on a four-goal burst to open a handy 25-point lead at half-time.

Fremantle closed to within three goals at the final break with momentum on its side, and when Josh Treacy slotted his second for the night it was one point the difference with eight minutes on the clock.

Another five minutes passed before Luke Jackson took a pack mark and converted to hand his side a one-goal lead, but Mac Andrew floated down forward and levelled the scores with just over a minute remaining.

And then the moment – a free kick to retiring veteran David Swallow that saw the first man ever selected by the club put through a point to break the deadlock and hand the Suns their first finals win.

More to come

FREMANTLE    1.2   5.2    8.4    12.7 (79)
GOLD COAST   1.6   8.9   9.13   11.14 (80)