A week after losing a winnable AFL match by one point to St Kilda, Gold Coast have bounced back to claim an upset three-point win over Fremantle.
The Suns, with eight behinds in a goalless third term, appeared to have blown a chance on Sunday to end a 10-match losing streak at Metricon Stadium, stretching back to 2017. But they overran the Dockers in the final quarter to secure a 7.19 (61) to 8.10 (58) win.
Gold Coast only led by three points at halftime and paid for an errant third quarter, three quick goals giving the Dockers a nine-point lead at the final break.
The young Suns came again and took the lead with less than five minutes to go via a David Swallow pressure goal.
"When we went 0.7, I think it was, and then they went down and kicked three goals ... individuals and teams have choices and I think our guys chose to compete," coach Stuart Dew said.
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"They kept running ... stuck to task and composure.
"So we're proud of the group, particularly after last week. A young group could potentially say, 'oh well, not again and another close one' but, for them, we're all really happy they can sing the song."
Captain Swallow was among the Suns' best - only cleared on Saturday to play after a knee knock in the Saints loss. The foundation player also picked up 30 disposals and laid five tackles.
"We set the bar really high for him but, in the end, it was just a matter of how quickly he could get it right and, obviously, all clear on the scans was important. He's a ripper, Dave," Dew said.
Jarrod Harbrow (32 disposals, nine marks) was arguably the best on ground against Fremantle's towering frontline.
Alex Sexton, fresh off signing a contract extension until 2023, kicked a game-high four goals.
Young midfielder Jack Bowes limited Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe's influence in what Dew described as a good learning experience.
The Dockers were far from the slick outfit who demolished North Melbourne last week with 21 goals, but coach Ross Lyon felt that had as much to do with the Suns as his team's performance.
Fyfe (31 disposals, 10 marks) played well despite attention, while Bradley Hill (32 disposal, six marks, five tackles) was a notable presence throughout.
Star recruit Jesse Hogan had a solid debut for his new club, not troubling the scorers, but picking up 21 disposals in an encouraging first hit-out.
Travis Colyer, Cam McCarthy and Matt Taberner booted two goals each for the Dockers with Lyon praising his team's fighting qualities despite the defeat.
"The result's feedback of where we need to get better," Lyon said.
"I rather what we did than don't have a dip, come home late and then it gets all a bit confusing."
Gold Coast next face the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne while Fremantle host unbeaten St Kilda.
