Gold Coast have given club stalwart Nick Holman a perfect send-off, beating St Kilda by 23 points in front of a sparse crowd at Docklands.
In a Thursday night dead-rubber with both teams unable to make finals, the Suns showed the type of form that had them early premiership favourites in March.
Led by powerhouse performances from Touk Miller and Matt Rowell, Gold Coast finished off a disappointing season by winning 14.19 (103) to 12.8 (80).
Miller (40 possessions, one goal), captain Noah Anderson (37 and one) and Brownlow medallist Rowell (28 possessions, 11 clearances) were outstanding in pushing the Suns out to a game-high 33-point lead late in the second quarter.
Gold Coast’s star-studded midfield got the better of St Kilda, winning centre clearances 17-7.
In front by 28 points at three-quarter-time, Gold Coast had to withstand a late charge from the Saints to secure their ninth win of the season.
Popular clubman Holman was playing his 145th and final game for the Suns after announcing his retirement earlier in the week.
Holman kicked a long goal after the quarter-time siren and was mobbed by teammates.
Loading Twitter content
Young gun Leo Lombard and spearhead Ben King, who could be leaving to join Hawthorn during the trade period, led the goal-kicking with three each.
The Saints, whose wildcard hopes were dashed last week, were sloppy defensively and conceded a score from Gold Coast’s first 10 inside-50s.
Without injured superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, St Kilda were unable to celebrate Bradley Hill’s 300th game in style.
But the three-club veteran stepped up in a big way, gathering 42 possessions and recording 944 metres gained.
Max Hall and Hugh Boxshall (three goals) were also influential for the Saints, who were also sending off defender Dougal Howard in his 100th game for the club.
AAP
dan