Gold Coast are a step closer to realising their dream of playing AFL finals for the first time after seeing off a young Essendon outfit by 41 points.
The Suns had their noses in front at every change before putting their foot to the floor in a dominant final quarter, winning 18.7 (115) to 11.8 (74) at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Defender Joel Jeffrey was outstanding for the Suns, finishing with a career-high 32 disposals, while skipper Noah Anderson (30 disposals and two goals) and John Noble (29 disposals) continued their excellent form.
Gold Coast’s talls proved a handful for the Bomber defence all day, with emerging forward Ethan Read kicking a career-best three goals in the first half and Ben King finishing with four of his own.
At the other end of the ground, Essendon's young key forwards Nate Caddy and Archer May each kicked three goals, including a pair of stellar long bombs from outside 50, in what could be a key pairing for years to come.
But while Essendon were able to match the Suns' intensity for the first three quarters, they fell away badly in the final term, as the Suns piled on six goals to none in a dominant finish.
Tough nut Matt Rowell was kept quiet in his 100th game, registering 15 disposals (including just five in the first half) as defensive midfielder Will Setterfield paid him close attention around stoppages.
Their victory ensures Gold Coast will finish the round in the top eight, with a game in hand.
The Suns and Bombers meet again later this year to play the Opening Round match that was postponed because of flooding in Queensland.
The Bombers will be hoping to bounce back against Richmond at the MCG next Saturday night.
Gold Coast will host ladder-leading Collingwood in a sold-out prime-time clash at People First Stadium on Friday night.
