Holman stars on farewell as Suns out-muscle Saints to begin Round 24

So that's all we have for you tonight.

Congratulations to the Suns, as they finished a poor season on a high.

Commiserations to St Kilda, who couldn't get the win at home to give a springboard for 2027.

Bravo to both Nick Holman and Dougal Howard who finished off their careers with conflicting results, and well done to Holman for kicking a couple of goal in his finale.

Congrats also to Brad Hill, who picked up a lazy 42 disposals in game 300.

It'll be an important off-season for both teams, particularly for the Suns with a high-profile exit perhaps only days away.

We will be back tomorrow night for a vital Friday night blockbuster between Collingwood and Brisbane.

With the battle for third spot so close, the Lions will want to maximise a win, while the Magpies will want to spoil the party.

We'll see you then, in the meantime I'm Andrew McGarry thanking you for joining us, and wishing you a very good night.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:42pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:42pm

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tells AFL to "do better" over Swans scandal

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised the AFL over its handling of the current scandal engulfing the league.

On Wednesday, the Swans stood down five players for the rest of the AFL season — vice captain Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon, Riley Bice and Nick Blakey — for breaching club standards for drinking and bringing women to the hotel.

Police from Victoria's sexual crimes squad have since flown to New South Wales and are investigating a report of sexual assault, which the ABC understands centres on a player allegedly touching one of the women without her consent.

Mr Albanese told ABC's 7.30 that he felt the initial response was not good enough.

"It's extraordinary that this has occurred," Mr Albanese said.

"The idea that this is occurring is completely untenable, and the initial response as well was, I think, completely unacceptable.

"The NRL have a no-fault stand down clause for issues like this, but the first thoughts should have been always about women and their safety.

"I don't think that occurred at this time. The AFL certainly needs to do better."

You can read more about this in our story here:

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:37pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:37pm

Match report: Suns send-off club stalwart with win over Saints

Gold Coast have given club stalwart Nick Holman a perfect send-off, beating St Kilda by 23 points in front of a sparse crowd at Docklands.

In a Thursday night dead-rubber with both teams unable to make finals, the Suns showed the type of form that had them early premiership favourites in March.

Led by powerhouse performances from Touk Miller and Matt Rowell, Gold Coast finished off a disappointing season by winning 14.19 (103) to 12.8 (80).

Miller (40 possessions, one goal), captain Noah Anderson (37 and one) and Brownlow medallist Rowell (28 possessions, 11 clearances) were outstanding in pushing the Suns out to a game-high 33-point lead late in the second quarter.

Gold Coast's star-studded midfield got the better of St Kilda, winning centre clearances 17-7.

In front by 28 points at three-quarter-time, Gold Coast had to withstand a late charge from the Saints to secure their ninth win of the season.

Popular clubman Holman was playing his 145th and final game for the Suns after announcing his retirement earlier in the week.

Holman kicked a long goal after the quarter-time siren and was mobbed by teammates.

Young gun Leo Lombard and spearhead Ben King, who could be leaving to join Hawthorn during the trade period, led the goal-kicking with three each.

The Saints, whose wildcard hopes were dashed last week, were sloppy defensively and conceded a score from Gold Coast's first 10 inside-50s.

Without injured superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, St Kilda were unable to celebrate Bradley Hill's 300th game in style.

But the three-club veteran stepped up in a big way, gathering 42 possessions and recording 944 metres gained.

Max Hall and Hugh Boxshall (three goals) were also influential for the Saints, who were also sending off defender Dougal Howard in his 100th game for the club.

AAP

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:28pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:28pm

Nick Holman says he has "memories I'll treasure forever"

The man of the night, Nick Holman, is speaking to Seven now. He's there with his father Pete and his niece Edie.

Asked about his highlights of his career - nine games at Carlton and 145 at Gold Coast - he referred to the goal that Noah Anderson kicked after the siren to beat Richmond.

"And there was the game after my mum died, I kicked a goal on McGovern," he said.

"I just have memories I will treasure forever.

"I'll be a Sun for life."

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:20pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:20pm

Emotions high in the Suns rooms

The Suns are in the rooms to sing the song one last time for 2026.

The emotions are definitely there, Nick Holman is teary and Ben King looks quite affected as well. Not sure he is actually singing, but he's grabbing teammates as they stand in the circle.

They finish the song, and Matt Rowell grabs him in a side-hug.

You'd have to say from the body language that's probably it for King on the Gold Coast.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:14pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:14pm

Suns skipper Noah Anderson reflects on a "difficult year"

Gold Coast captain Noah Anderson has spoken to Channel Seven after that win to end the Suns season.

"It's been a difficult year," Anderson said in what must surely be an understatement.

He said the focus today was to get a win for the departing Nick Holman.

Next up?

"We need a week or two to reflect on how we can grow," he said.

"We had some really hard lessons but the group has stuck so fat.

"We had a lot of young players tonight, Leo Lombard was amazing, Lachie Gulbin and Jake Rogers."

Anderson finished by saying he needed to relax - "I just need to get away from footy for a bit."

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:06pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:06pm

FT: Gold Coast 14.19 (103) beats St Kilda 12.8 (80)

The Suns hold on to win their ninth game of the season, and the Saints can't finish with a victory.

A late goal from Ben Long finished things off and got the Suns over the 100-point mark.

That's an important win for the visitors, even though it fdoesn't make any difference for finals.

Good games from Ben King and Leo Lombard (three goals each) and if that is King's last game for the club it's not a bad one.

Who said Damien Hardwick didn't like Docklands?

It's a frustrating night for the Saints, and it ends in painful fashion with Tom de Koning going off with what looks like a shoulder that's popped out. He was in serious discomfort there - hope he's ok.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:01pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 10:01pm

Saints hold firm but time running out

The Suns are still dangerous and they went down the left, Jake Rogers centred it but the Saints took the mark.

They hold out, but it's three minutes and counting.

They need to kick a goal NOW.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:59pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:59pm

Saints answer through Boxshall

We're still going here on the Leigh Matthews Rule!

The Saints are not going away, and Hugh Boxshall has kicked his third of the night - the lead is back to 16 points, with five minutes on the clock.

Can the Suns hang on, or is there another twist?

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:57pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:57pm

Ben King kicks a vital goal for the Suns

Big moment at Docklands!

The Suns broke there and Ben King got the ball in space - he galloped away down the wing and to near 50 before kicking a booming kick that bounced through for a goal.

He has three, the lead is 22!

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:55pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:55pm

Miss from Butler for the Saints

We're getting close to time on in the last, and the Saints are definitely closing here.

They kicked to the hotspot and Mac Andrew took it and then got levelled. They called holding the ball! Rough.

Dan Butler takes a couple of sneaky steps, but his snap goes wide.

A 16-point gap with seven on the clock.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:49pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:49pm

Saints close the gap

We're not done here with more than half a quarter remaining.

Liam Ryan has converted a shot, and the lead is back to 16 points.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:47pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:47pm

Ethan Read having an off night with the boot

The Suns's goalkicking could use some sharpening up, just like it has all season.

Tonight Ethan Read has been particularly wasteful.

He's just sprayed another one from deep in the pocket. That's 0.4 so far.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:45pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:45pm

Melee at Docklands

It's all happening at Docklands!

The Saints fans are not happy with the frees to the Suns, and they exploded when a holding free was paid in the pocket to Gold Coast.

Someone grabbed Matt Rowell by the guernsey and it was on!

Ben Long was in there, as was Bailey Humphrey and a few Saints.

it spilled to the square, with Jed Walter and Rowan Marshall introducing themselves.

It got quite willing, the free missed and the Suns couldn't score.

Oh well, the AFL will collect plenty of fines.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:39pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:39pm

Saints get the fast start

Well it's not over yet!

An early miss from Cooper Sharman saw him hit the post, but the Saints are bringing the pressure and they caught Noah Anderson holding the ball inside D50.

Mitch Owens converted, and the lead is down to 21 points a couple of minutes in to the final term.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:35pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:35pm

3QT stats

• Inside 50s: 42-36 Suns

• Clearances: 29-25 Suns

• Centre clearances: 15-4 Suns

• Contested possessions: 100-84 Suns

• Uncontested possessions: 209-183 Suns

• Marks inside 50: 14-5 Suns

• Tackles: 52-43 Saints

• Tackles inside 50: 9-8 Saints

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:31pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:31pm

Spot on

That's the last time I'll tip the Saints this season!

- Mike

Mike,

I'm not sure if you're finally off the Saints - or just know this is their final game for the year. I'm guessing door number two.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:30pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:30pm

3QT: Gold Coast 12.16 (88) leads St Kilda 9.6 (60)

A late goal from Hugh Boxshall reduced the margin to 28 points, but the Suns are in control at three quarter time.

That perennial issue for Gold Coast, however, they have kicked 2.8 to 1.1 for the Saints in that quarter.

Goalkicking conversion needs to be better for Damien Hardwick's side in 2027.

They look like they are set for a winning finale here, unless the Saints can pull something sizeable out of the bag in the final term.

Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:21pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 9:21pm

Nick Holman has two, and the Suns are clear!

The smiles are growing here for the Suns.

Their lead is getting more comfortable, and now Nick Holman has added to it with his second from a set shot inside 50.

It's out to 30 points in time on in the third!