Suncoast’s winning streak came to a halt at the hands of an aggressive Mt Gravatt on Saturday, the ladder leaders proving too strong in the final 15 minutes of the game.

Suncoast matched the Vultures for three quarters and were in with a big chance when trailing by just six points at the final break, but they conceded 5.7-1.3 in the final term as Mt Gravatt proved beyond a doubt they are the real deal.

Mt Gravatt won the Velocity Sports Cup Round 7 encounter 12.24 (86)-8.14 (62) and remain unbeaten in 2007.

Former Sunshine Coast junior Daniel Dzufer did everything in his power to win the game for the Lions, playing his best game of the season against the top side.

Dzufer has found his best form over the last fortnight after a slow start to the season and reveled in the physical contest, despite his light build.

Mt Gravatt’s physical brand of football, complemented by a high skill level, proved the telling difference in the finish.

Midfielders Scott Harding and Marcus Allan were set upon every time they went near the ball by the gang tackling Vultures, although both continued to do everything to try and lift their side.

Despite being crunched by top Mt Gravatt performer Gareth Bowes early in the game with a splitting shirtfront, Harding made nine hard-ball gets in a brave last quarter against the odds.

Ruckman Cameron Wood took some strong marks in the difficult conditions for Suncoast, while Irishman Colm Begley - relegated to Suncoast for the first time this season - produced the ‘party trick’ of the match.

Running along the wing, he flicked up the ball to himself with the toe of his boot without breaking stride.

Matt Moody made his return to the side and chipped in with two goals on a day A strong cross breeze made life difficult shooting at goal for both teams, none more than young Vulture Grae Grant.

The 19-year-old from WA has been the find of the season for Mt Gravatt and could have extended his lead at the top of the goalkicking, but posted a wasteful 1.7.

Joel Macdonald was reported during the game on a striking charge, as was Vultures duo Bill Cleary and Nick Van Bekkum.

The loss saw Suncoast drop from fourth to fifth place on the AFLQ Velocity Sports Cup premiership table, one game behind Labrador and only percentage in front of Broadbeach.

The Lions have a tricky assignment at Labrador’s Cooke-Murphy Oval next Sunday.

Scores:

Mt Gravatt, 1.7, 4.12, 7.17, 12.24 (96)
Suncoast Lions, 1.5, 5.8, 7.11, 8.14 (62)
Mt Gravatt, Goals: A Evans 3, C Cant 3, B Cleary 2, R Bail, G Grant, J Vearing, G Bowes 1. Best: G Bowers, R Lake, N Van Bekkum, A Evans, D White, M Stinear.
Suncoast, Goals: J Tippett 2, M Moody 2 C Begley, D Weightman, M Allan, J Brennan 1. Best: D Dzufer, C Wood, M Allan, C Begley, C Schmidt, S Harding.