Power coach Ken Hinkley must have had one eye on Carlton's game against Richmond at the MCG, with the Blues' success momentarily pulling them to within a win of Port. It meant victory at AAMI Stadium was even more significant and with the Suns holding the lead early in the final term the Power had to dig deep. They did, with skipper Travis Boak (35 disposals, three goals) leading the way as his side booted six goals to two in the last quarter to maintain its two-game buffer inside the eight and all but guarantee a remarkable finals berth.

 

It was a superb performance by the ultra talented Harley Bennell (28 possessions, three goals) and he was aided by the equally prodigious Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia, Danny Stanley and Daniel Gorringe. The fab five collected 119 of Gold Coast's 286 disposals and booted half the side's goals. This Suns outfit is brimming with talent and with another pre-season under their collective belt, the club could even be set for finals football next year.

 

Gary Ablett kept an incredible record alive with his 22-possession game on Saturday at AAMI Stadium, meaning he's still only been kept to fewer than 19 disposals in consecutive games once since 2007. In rounds four and five of that season Ablett registered 17 and 16 possessions. The superstar midfielder was very heavily tagged in the Suns' win over Melbourne last weekend and kept to 19 touches. While he wasn't at his dominant best, Ablett refused to be held down completely for a second week in a row. While Kane Cornes proved why he too is a champion by keeping Ablett's influence to a minimum, the Suns skipper's ball-winning ability continues to amaze.

 

Young Sun Seb Tape didn't see Hamish Hartlett coming 14 minutes into the second quarter at AAMI Stadium and paid for it. Hartlett laid an old fashioned shirtfront, collecting the 21-year-old and knocking him out before he hit the ground. Tape lay unresponsive and face down on the ground as teammate Charlie Dixon attempted to roll him on to his side before trainers waved him away. The game was stopped for several minutes as he was loaded onto the cart and, while Hartlett's elbow was down on impact, his decision to bump could land him in hot water.

 

The Power's seven-goal first term was their best start of the season and it could have been much more given the Power booted five behinds. While the Suns fought back through the middle of the term, their solid play was bookended by the Power's dominance. Ken Hinkley would have been thrilled to see six goalkickers hit the scoreboard with Justin Westhoff nailing two. Brad Ebert was sensational with 12 touches and a goal for the term.