Damien Hardwick has dared other coaches to tag Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey out of close games after Gold Coast broke Collingwood hearts with a monumental finish on Saturday.
The Suns led by 32 points late in the third quarter but the Magpies’ experience in close games seemed to count when they took the lead with four minutes left on the back of six unanswered goals.
In front of a sell-out 23,029 strong crowd, Bodhi Uwland broke a tackle and Ben Long bombed a goal before Ben Ainsworth added another.
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Three minutes remained but some brave Suns defence, led by ruckman Jarrod Witts despite copping a knock to the back, ensured there would be no miracle for the reigning premiers.
Gold Coast’s 14.17 (101) to 13.12 (90) victory retained an unbeaten record at home and Hardwick’s side now sit ninth on the ladder — as one of eight teams with eight wins so far this season.
Collingwood still head that group thanks to an additional four points from their two draws, with Brisbane next as a result of their own draw.
Gold Coast have not finished a round as high as ninth this late in the season since 2014, the year Gary Ablett’s injured shoulder ruined their finals hopes.
But they are now within touching distance in a tight season of finally breaking their September drought.
Ben King kicked four goals while Noah Anderson (38 disposals) was everywhere and Sam Flanders (33 touches and one goal) was also prolific.
Collingwood looked destined for another final-quarter fairytale when the returning Jordan De Goey (21 touches, two goals) brushed a tackle and booted a ripping goal from the pocket.
Nick Daicos (32 touches, two goals) then did it himself from the centre bounce to make it a four-point game.
Nathan Kreuger was the man to boot the visitors ahead before the Suns puffed their chests out and found a response.
“God, they’re incredible aren’t they, the way they come back,” Hardwick said of Collingwood.
“Hint to other coaches: when the game’s like that, tag Daicos, tag De Goey. They’re incredible the way they work together.
“We tried, but couldn’t get it done. But when we did get headed we responded really well.”
Hardwick was especially thrilled with the efforts of forward-turned defender Joel Jeffrey and emerging wing Uwland.
It was a chess match between the two sides early, Gold Coast pushing up and the Magpies replying with three runaway goals from their defence.
The Suns didn’t tag Daicos, instead backing their midfield to go toe-to-toe with the Magpies.
The home side’s pressure lifted in the second term, keeping the visitors scoreless until Josh Daicos’s goal three minutes before half-time reduced the margin to 20.
Collingwood had the better of the third term too, Nick Daicos eventually converting their territory into a goal to make it a 12-point game.
The Suns kicked the next three, King adding his fourth as they threatened to streak clear before the Magpies’ inevitable but ultimately unsuccessful charge.
“Anyone that’s watched us in the last couple of years knows we’re coming,” McRae said, lamenting their inability to produce the required pressure and intensity until the final term.
“We’re really proud of that … but we don’t want to be in these positions
“How many times do you want to put yourself in a position where you’re going to have to do this miraculous comeback?”
– with AAP