Rowell masterclass leads Suns to historic MCG win over Melbourne

Matt Rowell delivered one of the best performances of his career to inspire the Gold Coast Suns to a landmark 58-point victory over Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

In a game many saw as a key test for the Suns’ finals credentials, Rowell produced a dominant midfield display to help his side break a 12-game losing streak against the Demons and secure their first win over Melbourne since 2014.

The 18.12 (120) to 8.14 (62) triumph marked a major statement from Damien Hardwick’s emerging side, who are now two-from-two on the road in the 2025 AFL Premiership season — equalling their entire away-win tally from last year just three rounds into the new campaign.

Rowell was simply unstoppable, racking up a career-high 36 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 13 clearances (including nine from centre bounce), eight inside 50s and seven tackles.

The No.1 draft pick from 2019 outworked and outplayed Melbourne’s All-Australian midfield, including Clayton Oliver, to stamp his authority on the contest.

• 

  Fast Payouts

Supporting Rowell were fellow Victorian stars Noah Anderson and Touk Miller, both outstanding in their homecoming.

Anderson tallied 35 disposals and a goal, while Miller added three goals from 23 touches in a classy, composed display that highlighted his continued leadership despite handing over the captaincy.

Gold Coast set the tone early, piling on four first-quarter goals to take control, while Melbourne’s only score for the term was a behind from Max Gawn inside the opening minute.

The Demons never led again. They were wasteful and error-prone throughout, struggling to rebound from last week’s 59-point defeat to North Melbourne.

Suns forward Ben King continued his strong start to 2025, recovering from an inaccurate first half to boot four goals to take the outright lead in the Coleman Medal race.

Melbourne defender Steven May, in his return from a fractured larynx, had no answers for King and conceded a costly 50m penalty in the opening minutes that gifted Gold Coast their first goal.

Jed Walter also slotted a first-quarter major after Melbourne gave away a 50m penalty for dissent, while Jake Bowey briefly stopped the Suns’ momentum with a brilliant long-range goal.

But even when Melbourne threatened to rally, the Suns responded quickly — Anderson with a stunning goal on the run in the second, and Miller with two in four minutes in the third to push the margin back out.

Melbourne’s woes worsened early when exciting young talent Xavier Lindsay was subbed out with a knee injury just minutes into the match, further depleting their midfield depth.

Bayley Fritsch missed two gettable shots before half-time, summing up a frustrating afternoon for the Melbourne Demons.

The Suns entered the final change with a 34-point buffer and never looked back, running over the top of a dejected Melbourne outfit with a six-goal final term.

Now 2-1 and on a four-game winning streak away from home dating back to last August, Gold Coast are beginning to show they might be ready to finally break through for a maiden finals appearance.

For Melbourne, an error-strewn performance leaves them at 0-3 for the first time since 2019 and with plenty of questions to answer.

Sports news