Round 8, 2023
Gold Coast vs Melbourne
Saturday 6 May
Venue: Carrara
Attendance: 11,440
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Gold Coast | 3.3 | 7.4 | 11.6 | 13.7.85 |
| Melbourne | 4.4 | 8.5 | 11.6 | 13.12.90 |
Melbourne win by 5 points
Goalkickers: Max Gawn 2, Brodie Grundy 2, Kysaiah Pickett 2, Jake Bowey 1, Kade Chandler 1, James Jordon 1, Alex Neal-Bullen 1, Christian Petracca 1, Tom Sparrow 1, Jacob van Rooyen 1
Brownlow votes:
3 - Christian Petracca
1 - Clayton Oliver
Coaches votes:
7 - Clayton Oliver
3 - Max Gawn
Milestones:
Nil
The emerging Suns stayed close to Melbourne at every change, but had to chase down deficits several times during quarters. They were as far behind as 18 points in the first quarter, 20 in the second, and 13 in the third before recovering. A goal on the three quarter time siren tied scores.
Melbourne kicked the first two goals of the last quarter but couldn't shake their opponents. Gold Coast kicked the last two of the term to be within a kick. With 30 seconds left, Gold Coast's Darcy Macpherson marked with a kick to draw scores level. He missed, and despite a last Suns inside 50 after the kick-out Melbourne survived to win.
Best were Petracca, Gawn and Oliver. Daniel Turner was a late replacement for Michael Hibberd (rested). James Harmes replaced Turner in the fourth quarter.
Jacob van Rooyen was suspended for two games for striking while attempting to spoil. Melbourne failed in a challenge to the ban, but the AFL's Appeal Board struck the suspension down.
Lists
Tribunal