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The Gold Coast Suns scored 26 goals to inflict a 64-point defeat on the Geelong Cats in Darwin on Thursday. Despite Fox Footy experts predicting a low-scoring affair, the Suns and Cats came out to kick nine goals in the opening quarter. The Gold Coast side piled on 15 goals to three across the next two quarters.
Jack Lukosius finished with five goals to prove to coach Damien Hardwick that he is a natural forward. Meanwhile, second year Bailey Humphrey shrugged off his midseason malaise to have a breakout forward half performance, with five goals of his own.
Alex Davies was subbed into the game at halftime after Mac Andrew suffered a corked leg, sliding into the midfield as veteran David Swallow shifted back.
Ben King struggled in the greasy conditions, being double teamed when targeted. However, he kept in touch with Coleman leaders as he put himself in provisional first place with four second-half goals.
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Foundation Sun Sam Day turned back the clock with three goals, and his inaugural teammate Swallow soon joined him in the scorers column with two goals of his own.
Matt Rowell became the fastest player ever to reach 500 career tackles as the midfield bull had 35 disposals and eight clearances to power his team forward. Best mate Noah Anderson had 41 disposals and two goals, while third musketeer Sam Flanders registered 37 disposals and seven intercepts.
Geelong were hapless to watch on as the Damien Hardwick game plan came into full effect, as predicted by the master coach in their 10th game of the season.
Cats players Max Holmes, Gryan Miers and Ollie Dempsey tried gainfully all game but were well beaten by the dominant Suns midfield. Tyson Stengle had three goals against the run of play.
Ben Long was the Suns' lead-up forward, which seemed like a strange tactic early. However, as the game went on, it became obvious that he knew how to play the conditions best as he registered nine score involvements and a brace of goals.
Fans took to social media to heap praises on Jack Lukosius' performance following the Suns' resounding victory. Here are some of their reactions:
One fan said:
"Lukosius loves Darwin."
Another wrote:
"We should be throwing everything to get Lukosius home and playing for us . Jack, Darcy and Riley sounds like a very good forward line for the next 10 years"
A sixth fan stated:
"Damn, who knew this Lukosius guy could play as a forward"
Jack Lukosius lets his performance do the talking
Any speculation of Jack Lukosius being offered as trade bait was put to bed as he played a starring role in the Gold Coast Suns' demolition of the highly fancied Geelong Cats.
With five goals and an important contribution as a chop-out ruckman, the swingman belied the greasy conditions to play a crucial role with 12 score involvements.
