US EditionGold Coast Suns vs Essendon AFL LIVE: Suns Clinch First Finals Berth as Bulldogs’ Dream Is Dashed, Ben Cousins Out of Legends Game
The Suns ended a 15-year finals drought with a club-record 95-point win, boosting their percentage to seventh and displacing the Western Bulldogs from finals contention.
- The Gold Coast Suns clinched their first AFL finals berth on Wednesday night by defeating Essendon 23.15 to 8.10 at Carrara.
- This milestone followed 15 seasons of frustration, roster changes, and a coaching switch to Damien Hardwick, who praised the team's growth this year.
- Ben King scored a career-high seven goals, while captain Noah Anderson led strongly, with multiple supporters noting his leadership and connection to teammates.
- Hardwick said he had never felt as flat as after the prior Port Adelaide loss but expressed pride in the players' development and readiness for finals.
- The Suns finished seventh with a 14-8 record and will face Fremantle in an elimination final, while Essendon closed their injury-affected season at 6-17.
15 Articles
15 Articles
From Ablett to Anderson — the Suns' long road to the AFL finals
From Gary Ablett to Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell, from Guy McKenna to Damien Hardwick, it's been a long, long road to September football for the Gold Coast Suns. Andrew McGarry looks back on the journey for the 18th and last AFL team to clinch finals.
Sydney Morning Herald
AFL’s week one finals fixture locked in as Dogs left licking their wounds
Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon Bombers play in an AFL match at People First Stadium on the Gold Coast on Wednesday at 7.20pm AEST. Seven and Fox Footy are broadcasting the match live. Follow along for minute-by-minute updates, scores, results, odds, squads and start time. This match was postponed during opening round due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Suns soar into finals for the first time
FOOTBALL AFL EXPORTS By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT THE Gold Coast Suns will play finals for the first time in its club’s history. After defeating Essendon in the post-home-and-away fixture, the Suns remained in the top eight and eliminated Western Bulldogs from contention. In a 23.15 (153) to 8.10 (58) demolishing of the decimated, and most likely switched-off, Bombers at People First Stadium, Gold Coast on Wednesday, August 28, the Suns clinched fina…
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