A hard-fought Sandringham’s hopes of a second consecutive win have fluttered away following a tenacious Gold Coast comeback at a blustery RSEA Park on Sunday morning.

The home side – backed by a healthy breeze – surged out of the blocks with a five-goal-to-one opening term to open up a 32-point lead, but only mustered one more major for the game against the Suns’ eight after quarter-time.

While never taking full advantage of the wind in the second term with 23 of Gold Coast’s 56 forward entries only yielding three majors, the persistent Suns chipped away at their opposition’s buffer before two final-quarter goals from Mabior Chol consolidated the 6.14 (50) to 9.13 (67) result.

Darby Hipwell (31 disposals, 18 contested possessions, seven clearances, two goals) shouldered the brunt of the midfield load and was pivotal in the Zebras’ fast start with a brace of majors alongside Noah Gown, while Tom Highmore (21 disposals, 12 marks, 11 rebound-50s) and Oscar Adams (12 disposals, four rebound-50s) worked overtime in defence as the Suns strong-armed their way on top.

Cooper Sharman again performed strongly along the wing to finish with 22 disposals, eight rebound-50s and seven marks, while Tom Campbell ground his way to a 27-hit-out return over the combined efforts Chris Burgess and Chol.

Although heavy rain at the onset of the third term lent towards a relatively scrappy affair, the methodical Suns’ cleaner use ultimately prevailed. It resulted in almost double the amount of marks (63-121) and an ascendancy in the weight of possession (298-405) – led by half-back Charlie Constable (36 disposals), Connor Blakely (29) and James Tsitas (27) – as the Zebras were put on the backfoot against the 21-strong, AFL-listed opposition.

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Three unanswered goals against the breeze proved crucial in the visitors’ eventual victory, with Brodie McLaughlin (three goals), Jeremy Sharp and Marlin Corbett converting at important times to pave the way for the last-quarter coup.

Chol only needed three minutes in the final term to put his side in the lead for the first time, scoring again 10 minutes later to place the young Sandringham’s hopes of a late fightback out of reach.

Max Heath, playing primarily as a forward after last week’s five-goal haul, was forced higher up the ground to impact, while Leo Connolly drove his legs well in the engine room to have 20 disposals, five inside-50s and four clearances to his name.

Sandringham will eye a quick return to the winners list this coming Sunday against Frankston at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval, while the undefeated Gold Coast will have its first of four scheduled byes.

SANDRINGHAM  5.8  5.9  6.13  6.14 (50)
GOLD COAST  1.0  4.6  6.9  9.13 (67)

GOALS
Sandringham: Gown 2, Hipwell 2, Segar, Blamires
Gold Coast: McLaughlin 3, Chol 2, Sharp, Harrington, Faulkhead, Corbett

BEST
Sandringham: Hipwell, Highmore, Sharman, Campbell, Connolly, Adams
Gold Coast: McLaughlin, Blakely, Constable, Graham, Tsitas, Chol