1. Shaky Dons manage to hold top-eight spot
It wasn't a win for the ages, but Essendon did enough to further enhance its claim of a top-eight spot. With Fremantle to come next week at Etihad Stadium, and West Coast and the Western Bulldogs both losing on Saturday, Essendon looks set to play finals this season. The Bombers weren't at their blistering best, struggling in dewy conditions to get their running game going. But their skills were sharper than the Suns and they overcame poor conversion (12.18) in front of goal to come away with a 33-point win.

Full match coverage and stats

2. Begley's brilliant beginning
Josh Begley came in for the first match of his AFL career, and had an opening quarter you could only dream of. The strongly-built forward kicked a goal with his first disposal, before setting up consecutive majors for teammate James Stewart. Begley then finished the quarter with his second goal, to go into the break with seven disposals, two goals, two goal assists, four marks and three inside-50s. It wasn't the first time Begley has starred against the Suns, he kicked four goals against them in a JLT Community Series practice match at the start of the year. While the 19-year-old faded as the match progressed, he should be happy with his debut.

3. Classy Suns show polish
It wasn't all gloom and doom for Gold Coast, the team showing some fight against caretaker coach Dean Solomon's former side. Several Suns who have been inconsistent over the past few years had good nights. Trent McKenzie (23 disposals) was cool in defence, making good decisions and using his booming kick effectively. Aaron Hall (31) can occasionally be guilty of cruising around at half pace, but continually scythed through Essendon's defence and was dangerous kicking inside 50. Mitch Hallahan was hard around the ball while Keegan Brooksby battled in the ruck.

4. Daniher's Coleman chances dimming
Joe Daniher failed to substantially cut into Eagle Josh Kennedy's lead in the Coleman medal, kicking only one goal against the Suns. Steven May matched Daniher well, both in the air and on the ground, frustrating the Bomber and holding him accountable with attacking forays. It looked like May might even keep Daniher goalless for the first time since round seven last year, before the star managed to break through in the final quarter courtesy of a free kick. With one round left, the two-time Coleman medallist Kennedy currently holds a four-goal lead over Daniher, with Lance Franklin one goal behind the Bomber. 

The Coleman may have slipped out of Joe Daniher's grasp. Picture: AFL Photos

5. Talls in short supply on the Gold Coast
It's been yet another long, injury-decimated season for the Suns, and they’re scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to their ruck division. With Jarrod Witts and Tom Nicholls already on the sidelines, the Suns lost yet another ruck after Daniel Currie played out last week's loss with a broken foot. It led to tall utility Keegan Brooksby being called up for just his second game of the season. The Suns also had an eclectic cast of supporting rucks attempting to battle with man-mountain Tom Bellchambers, including Matt Rosa, Mitch Hallahan and David Swallow.