GOLD COAST, April 27, 2025 — The Gold Coast Suns pulled off a jaw-dropping comeback against the Sydney Swans today, turning a 29-point deficit into a 38-point rout that’s got the AFL world buzzing. With a top-four spot dangling like a carrot, the Suns hosted the 2024 grand finalists at People First Stadium and delivered a performance that was equal parts grit and fireworks.
The Swans came out swinging, piling on six goals in the first quarter to Gold Coast’s measly two. By the second term, Sydney led 39-14, and it looked like the visitors were cruising toward another notch on their belt. But the Suns, under the blistering Queensland sun, had other plans. They clawed back by halftime, trailing 59-42, setting the stage for a second half that’ll be talked about for weeks.
The third quarter was where the tide turned. Gold Coast unleashed six unanswered goals, flipping a 17-point deficit into a 24-point lead by the final break. Daniel Rioli, with two goals, was a sparkplug, while the Suns’ midfield ran circles around a suddenly flat-footed Sydney. The final scoreline—Gold Coast 20.17 (137) to Sydney 15.9 (99)—tells only half the story. The Suns’ 12 straight goals across the third and fourth quarters were a masterclass in momentum, leaving the Swans, now 2-5 for the season, staring at a long flight home.
This win marks Gold Coast’s fourth of the season, keeping their top-four hopes alive. The Swans, meanwhile, face mounting pressure after dropping three of their last four. The match, played before a roaring crowd of 14,801, underscored the Suns’ growing confidence under coach Damien Hardwick. Sydney’s injury list didn’t help—key defenders Tom McCartin and Dane Rampe were missed—but no one’s handing out excuses in April.
Gold Coast’s next test is a trip to face West Coast on May 4. Sydney limps back to the SCG to take on Hawthorn on May 3.