GARY Ablett continued his rich run of form against Hawthorn with another dominant performance as Gold Coast saw off a fast-finishing Hawks outfit to win by 16 points on Saturday.

The dual Brownlow medallist picked up 37 disposals, 10 tackles and kicked two important goals in the Suns' 13.17 (95) to 12.7 (79) win at the MCG as Gold Coast overcame a late stumble to claim the victory. 

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The Suns led by as much as 43 points deep into the third term before the Hawks' charge, which saw them kick six unanswered goals and get within nine points. 

But with the Hawks pressing at the 21-minute mark of the final term, the Suns' prized No.4 pick from last year, Ben Ainsworth, took a brilliant mark close to goal. 

His ensuing shot missed, but he was fortunately given a 50-metre penalty after Hawks defender Kaiden Brand infringed on the mark, handing Ainsworth and the Suns a certain goal. 

The 15-point point break proved enough, with Peter Wright adding another to seal the Suns' win in what could be their only MCG game for 2017. 

Five talking points: Hawthorn v Gold Coast

Ablett entered the clash averaging 38 disposals against the Hawks since 2010, including four 40-plus efforts in the 10 games in this period. For most of that time his impact hasn't mattered too much for the Hawks, who were in their golden era of success.

But with the Hawks' hopes dwindling, Ablett's influence cut deeper on Saturday as he helped steer the Suns to their fifth win of the year. If Ablett is to leave the Suns at the end of the year – and his future is uncertain – he will at least do it in top form. 

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The Suns weren't as clinical as their 86-point demolition of the Hawks in round three – a loss that signaled the end of Hawthorn's premiership era – but it was again a dominant third quarter that steered them to victory as they kicked five majors for the term.

Ablett's masterclass was the highlight, but he had plenty of support from his midfield mates. Former Crow Jarryd Lyons (28 disposals) and ex-Docker Michael Barlow (24, one goal) were excellent, David Swallow had another solid day, and Brandon Matera was clever up forward if somewhat wasteful (he booted 2.4).

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade believed his players were getting better at closing out games despite their struggles to keep up with the fast-finishing Hawks early in the fourth term.

"Their pressure in the last quarter was as good as I've seen and we didn't at times handle it as well as we could have," Eade said. 

"I thought as a young team learning, we didn't wilt and we were able to respond to that. 

"It's part of the education process we're going through and the leaders stood up so overall I was really pleased."

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Hawthorn was no doubt weakened. Already without a smattering of premiership heroes, including Grant Birchall, James Frawley, Ben Stratton and Cyril Rioli, Alastair Clarkson lost Luke Breust (illness) and Luke Hodge (groin soreness) before the match. 

It meant too much was again left to Tom Mitchell (39 disposals) in the midfield, while Isaac Smith (24) and late inclusion Billy Hartung (25) tried to offer run and carry and drive the ball inside 50. Jack Gunston kicked five goals from 19 disposals in a season-best outing. 

"We did some things well and some things not too well. We competed pretty hard and we were pleased we didn't fall over in the last part of the game," Clarkson said.

"Our polish with the ball wasn't quite the standard you need against Gold Coast. We had a really, really young side this afternoon."

The Suns held a seven-point lead at the opening change but the contest was relatively even: both sides were keen to use the wings rather than the corridor to attack.

However, where Gold Coast had big pair Tom Lynch and Wright to target their forward entries, the Hawks were a little lighter on for marking options, allowing Suns co-captain Steven May to drop off and mop up in the backline. His 11-disposal first term, which included seven marks (all uncontested), was important in holding down the fort.

The Suns' superior pace started to come to the fore in the second term and with the first two goals in the quarter they leapt to a 21-point lead.

Hawthorn went more than half an hour of game time without a goal, before Mitchell skidded through a kick from close range. It sparked the Hawks a little, and they kicked another through late inclusion Kade Stewart to get within nine points, before Lynch's clutch shot in the dying seconds of the first half reinstated the Suns' 15-point lead. 

The Suns' gap wasn't huge, but against a Hawthorn side stripped of stars and self-belief, it was hard to see a Hawks challenge being successful. 

Gold Coast's three-quarter time lead of 32 points gave them enough of a buffer to withstand the final-term onslaught and hold on.

MEDICAL ROOM

Hawthorn: Kaiden Brand left the field in the first quarter with a nasty gash to his face, which required treatment in the rooms to stop the bleeding. He made it back onto the field in the second term. Josh Gibson (groin) was put on ice at three-quarter time, while Isaac Smith (hip) managed to see out the game despite struggling. 

Gold Coast: The Suns appeared to get through the game without any injury concerns. 

NEXT UP

The Suns will head home and host Carlton at Metricon Stadium next Saturday night, while the Hawks have their bye. Clarkson's men will return in round 14 against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

Brendan Whitecross and Gary Ablett exchange words in the final quarter. Picture: AFL Photos

HAWTHORN      2.3    4.4    7.6       12.7 (79)
GOLD COAST     3.4    6.7    11.14   13.17 (95)

GOALS
Hawthorn: Gunston 5, O'Brien 2, Henderson, Mitchell, Stewart, Smith, McEvoy
Gold Coast: Lynch 2, Ablett 2, Matera 2, Wright 2, Barlow, Lemmens, Lyons, Martin, Ainsworth

BEST
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Gunston, Hartung, Smith, Burgoyne, Henderson
Gold Coast: Ablett, Lyons, Barlow, Witts, Swallow, May  

INJURIES
Hawthorn: Gibson (adductor), Hodge (groin) replaced in the selected side by Stewart
Gold Coast: Miller (illness) replaced in the selected side by Lonergan

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Fisher, Deboy, Chamberlain, Meredith

Official crowd: 27,392 at the MCG