How the Suns won the ‘biggest game in their history’

Nicholas Quinlan  •  July 12th, 2025 3:36 pm
How the Suns won the ‘biggest game in their history’
Adam Simpson has given some insight on how the Gold Coast Suns managed to beat Collingwood in their Friday night blockbuster.
It would be the Suns' first time hosting a Friday night clash at Carrara as they defeated the Magpies by nine points in a thrilling finish.
This win was as monumental as any of the Suns' 100 wins at the AFL level, with it being the first time that they have beaten a side on top of the ladder and sees them achieve 11 wins for the season, which equals last year’s record with seven games to go.
It was a solid performance by the Suns, who managed to lead the Magpies by as much as 40 points during the third quarter.
They also showed maturity after the Magpies took back the lead during the fourth quarter by scoring two goals to recapture the lead and eventually win the match.
It was in that first half that the former West Coast coach believes is where the Suns won the game, noting how well the Suns were able to transition the ball from the back half and turn it into scoring attempts.
“They’ve had eight shots from the back half in the first half. So, it was a back-half transition sort of game,” Simpson said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“And then it completely flipped in the second half. So yeah, they brought their A-Game, the crowd turned up, everyone was entertained.”  
However, Simpson made the point that their game plan against Collingwood is unlikely to stand up in finals if they are to make their maiden appearance in September.
“If you talk about the numbers, it was a different game last night, they were a back-half transition side,” Simpson explained.
“I don’t think that stands up in finals and in big games. I think you live off the front half game, and I’ve said this a lot that the sexy talk is the rebounding and the back half transition.
“They had seven shots from the back half in the first half. But they were +13 in contested possessions, and in clearances they were +8.
“But they only had six turnovers in their front half. So, everything was just a back-half transition, and I reckon Collingwood would have thought, if that’s the way they score, we can stop that.
“So, Collingwood in that second half defended much better in their front half.
“It was a different profile last night. It wasn’t a typical Gold Coast game where it was supply, supply, supply (and) lock in the front half; it was this back half (transition) that normally complements their game, (Gold Coast) doesn’t start or live off it.
“So, second half, they only had one shot from the back half. So, Collingwood just shut it down, and they got back into the game.”

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