While the 14.19 (103) to 12.8 (80) victory is just the ninth for the Suns in 2026, it gives Damien Hardwick\u2019s men something to take into the off-season.<\/p>\n
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Matt Rowell, who had 28 disposals – 20 contested and 11 clearances, gave the Saints a \u201clesson in toughness\u201d at Marvel Stadium as teammates John Noble (42 touches) and Touk Miller (40 disposals and a goal) were everywhere in their final match of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Suns have finished what has been a pretty dismal season on a high,\u201d Jack Riewoldt said.<\/p>\n
And while it was jubilation for the Suns, the night was a tough ending to the Saints who could finish the season in the unenviable 11th position – just outside a wildcard final.<\/p>\n
Teammates were quick to get around Nick Holman after his goal.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
To add to the pain, both Saints star recruits Jack Silvagni and Tom de Koning finished the match with shoulder injuries that are expected to delay their start to pre-season.<\/p>\n
The match began as a first quarter shoot out as 12 goals were kicked in the opening stanza.<\/p>\n
The match levelled out in the second term as the clamp was applied to the red-hot Rowell.<\/p>\n
Despite their contested dominance, the Suns managed to lead by just 15 points at the main break before they threatened to blow the match wide open.<\/p>\n
Wayward accuracy in front of goal was the only reason the match wasn\u2019t over by the final change – with Ethan Read at the cnetre of those misses.<\/p>\n
The Saints tried to claw the match back with some first Mitch Owens and then Liam Ryan bringing St Kilda within striking distance.<\/p>\n
But when Brad Hill failed to chase down Ben King – who admittedly had a large head start, the result was sealed and the Suns finished 2026 on a high.<\/p>\n
THE 3-2-1…<\/p>\n
3. EFFICIENT SUNS DELIVER MARVEL MAGIC<\/p>\n
It was a 2026 to forget for the Suns after they failed to make finals for a consecutive season.<\/p>\n
But on Thursday night, they brought the run and flair that\u2019s been missing.<\/p>\n
In the opening quarter alone, Gold Coast went 10 scores from 10 inside 50s in a remarkable show of efficiency.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve smacked the Saints at ground level in their forward 50 in his first quarter,\u201d triple premiership Tiger Jack Riewoldt praised.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ball is pinging from end to end on the back of turnover,\u201d dual premiership Roo David King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAway the Suns go at speed. In a small margin industry, this is what happens.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are on the fly \u2013 out everywhere.\u201d,\u201d Riewoldt added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they are slick with their hands the Suns, they look really, really good.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they can get it to the outside against the Saints\u2026 they can really expose them.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Suns narrowly missed out on a 100% scores from inside 50 rate for just the second time in club history at quarter time.<\/p>\n
But the warning signs were there for Ross Lyon and the Saints.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are actually giving them a contested possession lesson in the middle,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Ross would be really disappointed \u2013 he\u2019d be filthy at the moment the way the Saints are defending in their own 50,\u201d Riewoldt added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s very little fight behind the ball here.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting led to the footy and then getting out the back \u2013 that\u2019s the damaging part.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the clamp was applied to Matt Rowell in the second term, he had done plenty of damage with \u201ca lesson in toughness\u201d.<\/p>\n
The second half then belonged to Touk Miller in the middle as he \u201cabsolutely dominated\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s set the tone tonight,\u201d Eddie Betts said.<\/p>\n
Riewoldt said he could see the Suns responding in 2027.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the Suns will bounce next year,\u201d he tipped.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019ve got a softer draw next year\u2026 they don\u2019t have that first round pick though -that hurts them.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I suggest it would be a summer of figuring out where all the puzzles fit in the Damien Hardwick system.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a sentiment King agreed with.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey should not be in that area of the AFL table right now \u2013 13th is not where this talent sits,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got a long off season ahead of them. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s nothing hidden \u2013 everything\u2019s been exposed and I think this is a huge opportunity for this group to grow up and become the team that we all thought they\u2019d be in \u201826.\u201d<\/p>\n
2. YOU LOVE TO SEE IT!<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve seen just how emotional final AFL matches can get \u2013 and on Thursday night it was no different for retiree Nick Holman.<\/p>\n
After touching pre-game scenes as Holman ran through the banner with his young daughter, the Sun then deliver a memorable moment on the stroke of quarter time.<\/p>\n
Kicking from just inside the arc, Holman was quickly ambushed by his teammates as the Sherrin sailed through the middle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHolman signs off \u2013 they come from everywhere,\u201d Mark Howard said on Fox Footy.<\/p>\n
\u201cDelight on his face and his teammates\u2019 face.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been heart and soul of this football club \u2013 you can see how much of a lift he\u2019s given this team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holman added a second goal midway through the third term \u2013 despite managing just one goal all year heading into the final match.<\/p>\n
While the night belonged to Holman and the Suns, there was a touching tribute for 300-gamer Brad Hill both pre and post game as the two teams formed a guard of honour after full time.<\/p>\n
He was followed down the tunnel by retiree Dougal Howard in his final match before Holman and the Suns exited.<\/p>\n
1. HURT SAINT\u2019S BRAVE BATTLE<\/p>\n
There was nothing but pride to play for on Thursday night for both St Kilda and Gold Coast, yet players threw themselves into the contest.<\/p>\n
Matt Rowell was involved in plenty of push and shoves and Ben Long stamped his authority while Jed Walter went toe-to-toe with retiree Dougal Howard late.<\/p>\n
But it was the efforts of Jack Silvagni that drew the most praise for his bravery at Marvel Stadium.<\/p>\n
Silvagni dislocated his shoulder earlier this month in St Kilda\u2019s loss to Sydney.<\/p>\n
But he was adamant he wanted to play against his former side Carlton, and was described by teammates as \u201can absolute warrior\u201d for getting up for that game.<\/p>\n
With the club continuing to monitor the \u201clevel of function within his shoulder and ultimately, how he\u2019s feeling\u201d, the big name recruit was cleared to take on the Suns.<\/p>\n
But it was clear he was struggling \u2013 and when he stayed down after a big marking contest in the third, Silvagni\u2019s night was over.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s had that shoulder issue the last few weeks – he\u2019s very sore,\u201d Mark Howard said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurprising when he got up against Carlton.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s tough \u2013 what a competitor, to even put your hand up to play in a game like this when your arm is just barely hanging in its socket,\u201d David King added.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can just see that takes a heavy load through that right shoulder again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silvagni was ruled out of the game at three-quarter time. And he wasn\u2019t the only big name recruit to finish the match with a shoulder concern.<\/p>\n
Tom de Koning went down with less than a minute to play, clearly in pain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not a good sight,\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it impacts your pre-season.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Fox Footy\u2019s experts were united in demanding more from de Koning next season.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou weigh it against the price tag \u2013 you\u2019d say he certainly hasn\u2019t lived up to that,\u201d Jack Riewoldt said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he\u2019s been disappointing \u2013 there\u2019s no shying away from that,\u201d David King added.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a big offseason ahead of him. Get himself rock-hard fit and be a better commodity than what he\u2019s been this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou compare it to Silvagni and Liam Ryan \u2013 they\u2019ve been great buys,\u201d Riewoldt praised.<\/p>\n
\u201cSilvagni has been fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n