Arabic version: غولد كوست يودّع هولمان بفوز على سانت كيلدا

According to ABC News, Gold Coast defeated St Kilda by 23 points at Docklands in the AFL season finale, giving retiring club stalwart Nick Holman a winning farewell. The Suns led at every change and finished 14.19 (103) to 12.8 (80), recording their ninth win of the season as both teams ended the year outside the finals.

Holman, playing his 145th and final game for Gold Coast after announcing his retirement earlier in the week, kicked two goals. He kicked a long goal after the quarter-time siren and was mobbed by teammates. Ben King and Leo Lombard each kicked three goals for the Suns, while Hugh Boxshall kicked three for St Kilda. Liam Ryan, Mitch Owens and Ryan Byrnes added two goals each for the Saints.

Gold Coast’s midfield was led by Touk Miller, who had 40 possessions and one goal, captain Noah Anderson, who collected 37 possessions and kicked one goal, and Matt Rowell, who had 28 possessions and 11 clearances. The Suns won centre clearances 17-7 and established a game-high lead of 33 points late in the second quarter before holding off a late St Kilda charge.

Anderson described it as a “difficult year” and said the focus had been on winning for Holman. “We need a week or two to reflect on how we can grow,” he said. St Kilda, without injured Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, could not mark Bradley Hill’s 300th game with a home win, despite Hill gathering 42 possessions and recording 944 metres gained. Defender Dougal Howard also finished his career in his 100th game for the club.