The Gold Coast Suns have recorded the fourth-largest AFL victory in their history after embarrassing North Melbourne 12.19 (91) to 4.4 (28) at Metricon Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Kangaroos were unable to muster a goal in the second half as the hosts ran away with a comfortable win, their second in the last ten rounds.
Costly turnovers haunted North Melbourne early, and ended the match against last year’s wooden spoon recipients with their second-lowest score of the season.
Gold Coast’s efficiency inside 50 was over 75 per cent, while the Kangaroos could only manage 27 per cent.
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Three-time All-Australian Gerard Healy ripped into North Melbourne throughout their hapless performance.
“They are just killing themselves with turnover, the Kangaroos,” Healy said on Fox Footy.
“This is bordering on witches hats now, the defence of the Kangaroos.
“This is a real opportunity for the Gold Coast to feast.”
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Radio presenter Matt Webber tweeted: “I had no real handle on how far off the pace Kangas were until tonight. That must have been horrible to watch if you were a North fan. Adelaide have our in some stinkers but that was as bad as I’ve seen this year.”
Sportswriter Titus O’Reily cheekily posted: “Nice of North to try and make Crows fans feel better about themselves.”
AFL journalist Marc McGowan tweeted: “This is awful from Roos, but they’re so undermanned it’s almost pointless rating team performance.”
Suns forward Alex Sexton kicked a game-high four majors, while Gold Coast rookie Izak Rankine enjoyed another stellar performance, finishing the contest with 13 disposals, three marks and a goal.
“(Rankine) gets near the football, things tend to happen,” Healy said.
“Every time he’s touched the ball, almost, they’ve scored.”
The 20-year-old is cementing himself as a favourite to claim Rookie of the Year.
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Having recorded their fifth win of the season, the Suns will climb to 13th spot on the AFL ladder, while North Melbourne remain in 17th.
Both clubs will enjoy a bye before the Kangaroos take on Port Adelaide and Gold Coast face the Brisbane Lions in round 16.
