Live: Demons blasted for ‘playing like they’re going on a footy trip’ against Suns

Harry Petty strikes and the Demons have liftoff!

Petty has brought the energy after quarter-time and he gets his just rewards.

He laid a good tackle inside 50 and won a free kick a few minutes earlier but couldn’t capitalise on his set shot.

But he doesn’t drop his head and eventually kicks one in heavy congestion.

Melbourne’s energy much better through the first three minutes of the second term.

Sometimes in footy, the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story. This is one of those occasions where it absolutely does.

The Demons have been pretty poor this season overall, but this quarter might be their worst of the year.

Gold Coast has 24 more disposals, leads the inside 50 count 21-6 and the clearances 9-4. It has been an absolute throttling everywhere on the ground.

The Suns also have 38 marks to 11 including an 8-0 edge inside 50 and have somehow out-tackled the Dees 19-8 as well.

Gold Coast’s five tackles inside their forward 50 is almost more than the Demons’ entire total.

Suns halfback John Noble has 12 disposals and three clearances, and is the equal-leading ball-winner alongside Melbourne’s Trent Rivers.

Walter, Miller, Long, Jeffrey and Humphrey the Suns goalkickers.

I have no idea what Simon Goodwin will be saying out there at his quarter-time address, but let’s see if it makes any difference.

This scoreline looks like something out of the FIFA Club World Cup at the moment.

If you pitted these Demons against Auckland FC, I reckon they’d get done.

Touk Miller is the Suns’ latest goalscorer after being infringed upon in a marking contest 30m out from goal directly in front.

The Suns have kicked 3.0 from stoppages so far this afternoon and have nine forward half intercepts to the Demons’ one.

The Demons saw Carlton’s first quarter the other night and are saying, “Hold my beer”, because this is ridiculous.

The Suns could all be playing in tuxedos and dress shoes and they’d win this game, that’s how easy it’s been.

Daniel Rioli finds Bailey Humphrey with a wonderful kick inside 50 and Humphrey duly converts the set shot from directly in front.

Jed Walter makes it three in a row from inside the goalsquare after receiving a 50m penalty.

Dees absolutely sleepwalking as youngster Harvey Langford runs through the protected zone after Walter took an intercept mark right on the 50m arc.

I think saying there is zero energy might be being a little too kind for Melbourne at this point.

This is an all-timer low energy performance from the Dees so far.

“Honestly, they’re playing like they’re going on a footy trip tomorrow,” Ben Dixon says on Fox Footy.

“They don’t want to get a cork or a bruise or anything. They just don’t want to chase, they won’t put on any pressure or effort.”

Not a great assessment that. 

Joel Jeffrey drills one on the run from 40m out and the Suns finally have some reward for all this dominance.

This is really ugly from the Dees, to be honest. Their pressure rating is at 167 and they’re all moving in second or third gear tops.

The Suns have had seven scoring shots to zero and the inside 50 count is 12-2.

Melbourne’s intensity is similar to that of a little kid cleaning their room when asked to by a parent.

The Dees are very lucky to only be trailing by 11 points, with the Suns 1.5 and they’ve missed some very gettable shots on goal.

Ben King the latest culprit after hitting the post on a very easy set shot.

“There’s two teams here today. One is playing for something and the other looks like they’re ready for a park game of football,” Jonathan Brown says on Fox Footy’s coverage, sounding like a disappointed dad.

“Melbourne players are jogging across the field. The Suns have been intense, but there’s about 10 Demons players just jogging around the field.”

Gold Coast doing all the scoring through the first five minutes here.

Ben Long the sole goalscorer as the Suns pepper their attacking 50.

The Suns lead the inside 50 count 5-1 at the moment.

Kysaiah Pickett looks highly irritable in the opening minutes here.

Noah Anderson goes down behind play and wins a free kick after copping a roundarm punch to the guts.

I reckon that’s a pretty soft call, it didn’t look like Pickett made any great contact, but nevertheless, it’s a little naughty from Kozzie.

He’s got to tread carefully.

We’ve had some Avicii levels blasting through the speakers like it’s a rave and now we’re ready to go.

Max Gawn and Jarrod Witts in at the first bounce for both sides.

Steven May goes to Ben King in Gold Coast’s forward line.

We’re off and running folks, here we go!

Damien Hardwick has been around so long he really doesn’tcare about AFL sanctions at this point it seems.

Here’s the Suns coach having a bit of fun at the league’s expense. You’ve gotta love it.

Both Gold Coast and Melbourne will line up as originally selected this afternoon.

Alex Sexton starts as the Suns sub, while Harry Sharp is Melbourne’s sub.

Good afternoon and welcome to ABC Sport’s live AFL coverage!

Round 16 continues with a triple-header on deck today.

The action begins in just over 10 minutes’ time when the Gold Coast Suns host Melbourne, before we head to Tasmania where Hawthorn faces North Melbourne at 4.15pm.

The final match of the day is at Docklands Stadium, where Collingwood faces the West Coast Eagles at 7.35pm.

Strap yourselves in as we bring you all the live action as well as news from around the league!

(All times AEST)