The Brisbane Lions have suffered their third defeat for the VFL season going down to the Gold Coast SUNS by 18 points.
A stunning day greeted both sides at Heritage Bank Stadium with top-two aspirations up for grabs, but it was the SUNS who ran away with it 13.14 (92) to 11.8 (74).
After a back and forth opening five minutes, the Lions clicked into gear.
Some fluid ball movement and SUNS ill-discipline allowed the Lions to pile on seven goals inside 25 minutes to lead by 40 points.
A flurry of late goals from the SUNS cut that margin to 23 points at quarter time.
Darcy Fort, Tom Fullarton and Academy product Jack Manly all had two majors by the first break with Darryl McDowell-White also booting a goal.
The SUNS began to get on top after the break, kicking the next three majors while the Lions could only manage one point by half-time.
In a game where ball movement and running were key, Deven Robertson was still able to find plenty of the footy.
Robertson finished with 34 disposals, eight marks and four clearances to be one of the Lions best.
The SUNS piled on five more goals in the third term to the Lions two points.
Despite the scoreline, Darragh Joyce enjoyed another good outing finishing with a game-high 12 marks.
The Lions came out of the three-quarter time break firing, booting the first three goals to give themselves a chance by cutting the SUNS lead to nine points.
Blake Coleman slotted his set shot, before Robertson and Jaxon Prior took advantage of their opportunities.
The SUNS then kicked the next two to put the game beyond reach.
Jaxon Prior was strong again for the Lions collecting 26 disposals, 10 marks to go along with his goal.
Academy product Manly led the Lions goalkickers with three majors in his best outing in Brisbane colours at VFL level.
The loss sees the Lions stay in third but move to one-and-a-half games behind the SUNS and Werribee.
Final Score
Brisbane 74 def by Gold Coast SUNS 92
Goals: Manly 3, Fullarton 2, Fort 2, Robertson, Prior, McDowell-White, Coleman
Best: Robertson, Prior, Joyce, Sharp, Fullarton, Manly
