Gold Coast have blown a huge chance to press their case for a maiden AFL finals appearance, suffering a horror 48-point defeat at the hands of Essendon.
The Bombers prevailed 14.19 (103) to 8.7 (55) at Docklands Stadium on Sunday to continue their late-season resurgence with a fourth win in five games.
But while Ben Rutten's side are out of the finals picture, the Suns were left to rue a missed opportunity in a bitterly disappointing performance with so much on the line.
The door opened for a group of teams chasing eighth spot when incumbents Richmond were upset by last-placed North Melbourne on Saturday.
Gold Coast (8-8) failed to take advantage and now sit one win behind the Tigers, Western Bulldogs and St Kilda (all 9-7) ahead of a huge clash with Queensland rivals Brisbane in round 19.
Their percentage was 108.9 but dropped to 104.7 as a result of their thumping from Essendon.
The Bombers' latest triumph was built on superior intensity around the ball and a hard-running midfield, which set up ample opportunities to kick a winning score.
Zach Merrett (36 disposals), Mason Redman (34) and Dylan Shiel (29) racked up touches and Jake Stringer kicked four goals, while former Suns forward Peter Wright, Harrison Jones, Nic Martin and Sam Draper kicked two goals each.
Cult hero Draper provided the highlight with a running goal-of-the-year contender direct from a centre bounce during the final quarter, shrugging off two opponents as he galloped towards goal.
The ruckman's finish on the outside of his right boot brought the house down.
Gold Coast duo Noah Anderson (24 disposals, seven clearances) and Touk Miller (28 disposals, seven tackles, nine clearances) were in the thick of the action but the Suns had few clear winners.
Wright kicked two of Essendon's four majors inside the opening nine minutes in a hot start but Suns talls Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult responded with two each to level the scores.
There was some feeling in the contest as Bombers duo Ben Hobbs and Redman felt the brunt of respective David Swallow and Sam Day bumps.
Essendon reasserted their authority around the contest in the second term, with Shiel and Merrett prominent, and led by five goals at the main break - a margin that would have been greater but for wayward goal-kicking.
It was more of the same in the second half and the Bombers sent their home crowd into party mode when Draper kicked their first goal of the final term.
Dees keep touch with the top with win over Port
Kysaiah Pickett has unleashed a six-goal masterclass to inspire Melbourne to a 14-point AFL victory over Port Adelaide in Alice Springs on Sunday.
The Demons were held goalless in a dour opening quarter but Pickett produced two goal-of-the-year contenders among a career-best haul to help secure the 12.11 (83) to 10.9 (69) win.
The result means Melbourne (13-4) are now a game clear inside the top two.
Port Adelaide (8-9) are a win and percentage adrift of the top eight with five rounds remaining.
Demons defender Jake Lever suffered an injury scare in the opening term when he damaged his shoulder while falling in a marking contest. .
Port entered the first break with a 13-4 lead, marking the fourth time this season the Demons have been held goalless in a quarter.
Lever was able to return to action in the second term as Melbourne produced a five-goal blitz inspired by two magical goals from Pickett.
The 21-year-old scored Melbourne's first goal of the match when his fancy footwork and spin created space to nail a left-foot snap from the pocket.
His second goal was just as spectacular, with Pickett slotting a right-foot snap from the pocket while falling to the ground.
Jack Viney added to the highlights with a no-look handball over his shoulder to gift a goal to Luke Jackson from point-blank range.
And Port youngster Miles Bergman joined in on the fun with his own goal-of-the-year contender, nailing a right-foot banana while being pushed over by Steven May.
The Demons looked to be in trouble when Port Adelaide opened up a 10-point lead in the third quarter, but it was Pickett who again turned the momentum back Melbourne's way.
A mid-air volley from the Demons speedster took Melbourne back to within a kick, and the Demons were in front when Pickett kicked truly after receiving a high tackle.
A 52m goal on the run from Pickett midway through the last quarter made the game safe, and he brought up his sixth with another snap from the pocket.
Pickett finished the match with 6.1 from 14 disposals, while Christian Petracca tallied 30 disposals and 10 clearances.
Travis Boak led the way for Port Adelaide with 29 disposals, five clearances and two goals, while Connor Rozee racked up 33 touches and a goal.
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley wasn't in attendance after contracting COVID-19 during the week.
Hawks take down Eagles
Hawthorn continued its rebuild under new coach Sam Mitchell with a commanding win against West Coast at the MCG.
It was back-to-back victories for the developing Hawks, as they won 15.12 (102) to 12.5 (77) in cold and showery conditions.
Experienced mid-sized forward Luke Breust showed the way with a career-equalling six goals, the last one late in the last quarter to ice the match after the brave but undermanned Eagles kept pressing throughout the contest.
Breust's goals haul was timely as young key forward Mitch Lewis was kept scoreless by Eagles defender Tom Barrass, who had a career-high 30 possessions including 18 marks.
The Hawks maintained scoreboard control following a 6.0 to 3.1 second quarter, but the home side had to respond several times as West Coast found answering goals to stay in touch.
The on-ball combination of Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell, with 32 possessions, and rookie Jai Newcombe (28 touches) gave the Hawks ample opportunities to surge forward.
And their trademark rebounds from defence netted at least half a dozen goals on the way to an impressive win.
Hawthorn was given an early reminder of the danger posed by West Coast's key forward targets as Jack Darling marked and goaled inside the first minute.
Josh Kennedy added another with a quick kick off the ground in the goal square, but both Eagles big men could manage only two each against the Hawks' James Blanck and the reliable James Sicily.
A heavy downpour just before the match presented players with a wet, greasy ball, and while the opening quarter was an even slog, handling became easier when the sun reappeared.
It was the Hawks who grabbed the initiative after a stern pep talk from skipper Ben McEvoy at the quarter-time break.
Hawthorn's bold rebounds down the centre corridor put the Eagles' defence under pressure, and Breust, Will Day, Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald kicked unanswered goals to provide a scoreboard buffer.
But West Coast proved more than a match in the contested-ball battles, and late goals from Jake Waterman and Liam Ryan kept the visitors in touch to set up an engrossing second half before Hawthorn finally asserted control.
Midfielder Jai Culley, picked up in the mid-season rookie draft, debuted for West Coast.
That underlined the Eagles' woes in a season interrupted by illness and injury as Culley was the 47th player used this year, and ensured an appearance from every player available on the club's senior list.
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AAP/ABC
