Rankine denied match-winning moment as Suns prevail

Gold Coast have equalled their greatest begin to an AFL season, clinging on for a one-point win in a dramatic end to spoil Adelaide’s unbeaten run.

The Suns prevailed 13.13 (91) to 14.6 (90) at residence on Saturday, with former Solar Izak Rankine controversially denied a mark within the pocket with 90 seconds to play.

Two free kicks to the Suns adopted earlier than they once more repelled the surging Crows, with Mac Andrew and five-goal Crows star Riley Thilthorpe in a heated alternate after the ultimate siren.

Taylor Walker additionally booted 4 targets for the Crows, who hadn’t misplaced 1 / 4 of their three wins previous to Saturday.

The Suns began sizzling in a see-sawing contest, twice edging 18 factors clear earlier than the Crows surged within the second half.

Rankine (21 disposals, 10 clearances) was in every single place for the guests whereas recruit Daniel Rioli performed his greatest recreation for the Suns.

Jordan Dawson had 31 disposals for the Crows whereas James Peatling (24) did properly to limit the affect of in-form Suns star Matt Rowell (17 touches).

Jed Walter kicked three targets for the Suns whereas fellow talls Ben King, Ben Lengthy and Will Graham had two every.

It is simply the second time the Suns have received their first three video games of the season, this win coming underneath stress in distinction to 2 lop-sided victories.

They began the sweaty noon fixture sizzling, Rowell busting out of visitors and hitting the put up earlier than King and Ethan Reed each marked and goaled from close-range.

Darcy Fogarty did the identical on the different finish whereas Thilthorpe saved chipping away and was lastly rewarded with a aim after the siren.

Mac Andrew got here inside a coat of paint of an audacious long-range effort, from outdoors 60m off two steps, that hit excessive up on the aim put up.

Walter snapped from the pocket to regular the Suns however Thilthorpe had the moment reply.

Rowell was properly held however nonetheless discovered a technique to influence, wobbling a left-footed kick to Bailey Humphrey, who kicked straight and assist get the Suns inside one level at halftime.

The hosts once more burst out of the blocks, Graham and Lengthy’s targets coming from stoic defence from Andrew and Bodhi Uland.

They had been 18 factors clear when Touk Miller scored however once more the Crows rallied, discovering pleasure on the counter assault and area within the ahead line.

Gold Coast appeared to have killed off the Crows once they kicked three targets clear once more till John Noble’s unforced error within the centre of the bottom led to Walker kicking his 650th AFL aim from the turnover.

Thilthorpe then out-wrestled Sam Collins and kicked his fourth aim to make it a six-point margin.

A chaotic sequence completed with Will Graham working into an open aim however Walker slotted his fourth to make sure the competition went right down to the wire.

The Crows willed the ball ahead, Jake Soligo with beautiful ability to seek out his man and Thilthorpe’s fifth coming when the ball’s bounce left Collins greedy.

Rankine thought he’d created an opportunity to be the hero. However his pleas went unanswered and the Suns ran the clock down.