Suns skipper Gary Ablett looks downfield for an option. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
GARY Ablett's won the latest battle in his personal war with St Kilda as he guided the Gold Coast to a stunning 13-point upset victory over the Saints at Metricon Stadium.
In grand finals and blockbusters with Geelong, Ablett enjoyed mixed success against the Saints being tagged by Steve Baker or Clint Jones.
Last night, there was no stopping the Suns skipper as he kicked four goals - including three in the final term - and collected 34 disposals, six inside 50s, 19 contested possessions and nine clearances in a magnificent individual display that lifted the Suns to their seventh win in club history and their third-straight success at home.
His fourth and final major was a beauty from an acute angle that appeared to sink the Saints.
But St Kilda closed to within 10 points only for Ablett to help set-up a goal for Luke Russell to keep the gutsy visitors at bay.
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A Terry Milera goal with two minutes to go reduced the Gold Coast's lead to eight points but Aaron Hall strolled into goal in the dying seconds to seal the gritty win.
It was always going to be an ugly, scrappy affair given the hot and humid conditions that turned the Sherrin into a cake of soap.
Given the Suns do not have the experience or class to put away sides and the Saints were undermanned and under-sized, it made for an even more dour arm-wrestle.
There was never going to be a repeat of the 95 and 92-point thrashings that St Kilda handed the Gold Coast.
The Suns simply do not have the marking power or poise in front of goal to capitalise on their midfield's ball-winning prowess.
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With St Kilda missing the likes of Leigh Montagna, Sam Fisher and Sean Dempster, the Saints were below full-strength and were always going to be vulnerable.
They were often indecisive and indirect and guilty of poor discipline to keep the Suns in the contest.
The Suns led by 11 points at the first change which was a fair indication of the home side's superiority.
The Saints then blitzed the Gold Coast in the second term.
St Kilda kicked five goals in the quarter with Armitage (17 disposals, five inside 50s and four clearances up to halftime) at the forefront for the visitors who restricted the Suns to just two behinds.
St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt celebrates kicking a goal against Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
Skipper Nick Riewoldt booted two goals as the Saints midfield got on top with Jarryn Geary having a game-high 18 touches up until the main break.
The Saints appeared well on their way but the gritty Suns clawed their way back into the contest with three goals after halftime to recuce St Kilda's buffer to just nine points.
Ablett kicked a superb individual goal in the third quarter with a brilliant display of speed and finishing that shone like a beacon in a mistake-riddled term.
The Gold Coast refused to go away and closed the gap to just two points early in the final quarter to set-up a thrilling finish.
Ablett's third goal of the night put the Suns in front with 13 minutes remaining.
Boom teenager Jaeger O'Meara came into the game in the last term with seven touches and finished his first senior AFL match with 12 disposals and one goal.
Geary finished with 28 disposals, Armitage had 26 touches and Jack Steven had 25 touches for the Saints. Milera kicked three goals for the visitors.
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