1. Ablett return lives up to the hype
For seven years Gold Coast fans had been accustomed to seeing Garry Ablett tearing it up at Metricon Stadium in the yellow and gold. But they are not used to being on the receiving end. The former Suns skipper and four-time best-and-fairest winner started relatively quietly by his lofty standards before blowing up to have 37 disposals and three goals in a best on ground performance. He improved as the game went on and his third goal, a running effort from 50m out on an angle, reminded everyone of his class. 

CATS IN A CANTER Full match coverage and stats

2. Geelong makes a statement
It hasn't been the greatest fortnight for Geelong, with a disappointing 34-point loss to Essendon and an unconvincing victory over cellar-dwellers Carlton last week. Given their last match at Metricon was a disappointing 25-point loss in round seven last year, a win wasn't a given for Chris Scott's men. But following an inaccurate first quarter, Geelong clicked into gear from the second quarter to blow the Suns away. A strong, even contribution from all the men in white and blue will buoy Geelong fans. 

3. Gold Coast makes flat Metricon return
Metricon Stadium hasn't seen such a flat display since the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony. The Suns looked listless for a team making their long-awaited return to home turf, their first match at Carrara in 287 days due to April's Commonwealth Games. Suns fans would have hoped for so much more, given the excitement in the build-up to their home return and the strength of their team, with big Tom Lynch returning from injury. But it all fell apart in the second quarter and they never recovered.

WATCH: Ablett's Metricon masterclass

4. Cats dominate in second-quarter blitz
The first quarter didn't hint at the flogging that was to come. The Suns started brightly with goals to Callum Ah Chee and Tom Lynch early and the wasteful Cats leading by only seven points at the first break. But the second quarter was where it turned ugly for the Suns. The Cats piled on the goals, scoring 7.6.48 to 0.1.1 for the quarter to cap a streak of nine straight goals. In doing so they racked up 123 disposals to the Suns' 55.  Of those, 92 were uncontested compared to the Suns' meagre 30.

5. Injuries rub salt into Suns' wounds.
The Suns' disappointing 85-point loss on return to Metricon Stadium was further soured by injuries to Aaron Hall (shoulder), Aaron Young (ankle) and Steven May (ankle). In a team already stretched for depth and battling after five straight losses, their likely absence in the coming rounds make it harder for coach Stuart Dew as he looks to get his team back on the winners list. The Suns only just got Tom Lynch back from a knee injury, defender Jesse Joyce from a quad injury and Jack Martin from illness.