Captain Nick Riewoldt dominated young opponent Rory Thompson, who has enjoyed a strong season with the Suns, kicking 3.2 and taking eight marks in the first half alone. He kicked on to finish with 4.5 and 15 marks, with his set shot kicking letting him down. The champion forward was aided by fine delivery from senior midfielders Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo, who wound back the clock and were particularly influential when the game turned in the second quarter. Stephen Milne booted four goals.
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2. Hayes underlines value for 2014
It was announced at quarter time that veteran midfielder Lenny Hayes will play on for a 16th season, signing a one-year contract extension. A valued mentor to the club's young midfielders, the three-time All Australian clearly has more to give on-field and he was influential at the coalface on Sunday afternoon. His ability to win contested ball and clearances allowed his teammates to flourish on the outside.
3. Ablett well held again
The Brownlow Medal favourite has endured his quietest three-week period in years. The champion pushed through to finish with 28 possessions, but run-with specialist Clint Jones took the points in a match-long battle. One bookmaker paid out on Ablett to win the 2013 Brownlow Medal earlier this month, but he is now under serious threat from Geelong captain Joel Selwood. Ablett was held to 19 and 22 possessions against Melbourne and Port Adelaide respectively in his previous matches. Jones kept him to just seven kicks and three inside 50s on Sunday.
4. Suns setting
It's clearly been a season of significant improvement for Gold Coast, but the young group appears to have run out of steam. The exciting, running football they have produced at times this year only appeared intermittently, with their brightest patch coming late in the third term. The Suns notched five of their seven wins this season in the first eleven rounds, but they have lost eight of their last 10. They can end the season on a high against Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium next week.
5. Saints' rebuild continues
St Kilda has used 40 players this season, with Cameron Shenton making his debut on Sunday and Tom Ledger coming into the team for his first game this year. Ledger was injected as the substitute during the third quarter and every Saint on the ground ran to him when he converted a set shot in the final term. While the club's senior players led the way on Sunday, exposing young players to senior football remains the focus for St Kilda.
