GOLD Coast has celebrated Gary Ablett's 300th match with a 19-point victory over North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium.

Led by five goals from co-captain Tom Lynch on Saturday night, the Suns overcame a Kangaroos comeback in the second half to post an 18.10 (118) to 14.15 (99) win.

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The Suns' sixth victory of the season keeps their faint finals hopes alive as dual Brownlow medallist Ablett marked his milestone match in style.

Lynch, who hadn't kicked a goal in his past two matches, was the star of the night including a classy left-foot finish in the final term just when the visitors were threatening to rein in the Suns.

Five talking points: Gold Coast v North Melbourne

Ablett finished the night with 37 disposals and narrowly missed a set shot from 50m in the final term which would have capped the evening for the 12,779 fans.

Steven May, also celebrating a milestone in his 100th match, was solid in the backline for the Suns while Ben Ainsworth was impressive with a career-high four-goal haul.

The Suns overcame a slow start where the Kangaroos kicked two early goals, with Lynch booting two majors at the end of the opening quarter to give the hosts a 10-point lead.

A run of five unanswered goals in the second term blew that lead to 40 points, including Jack Martin's second classy right-foot snap from the left pocket of the match and a sensational soccer effort by Ainsworth.

North responded after the main break, reducing the 33-point half-time gap to 23 at the final turn before Jarrad Waite's fourth of the night brought the game within three goals.

Ben Brown picked up three majors while Luke McDonald was a ball magnet for the visitors with 31 disposals.

Quickfire goals to Brayden Fiorini and Lynch settled the home team's nerves and the Suns held their opponents at arm's length to secure the points.

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade was impressed with his side's ability to fight back when North Melbourne was threatening.

"They had all the momentum and we made a couple of| silly errors, like usual, and it cost us, and then to kick those two, maybe three goals in the last six minutes, I think it showed the fight in the group," he said.

"We've spoken about the resilience.

"We've been exposed in that a few games this year where we've fallen away.

"It's the last seven or eight (games) we've had this fight, which is pleasing, it's something we're developing."

Pearce Hanley's troublesome hamstring meant the Irishman didn't return for the second half and he'll be in doubt for next weekend's trip to Sydney to face the Swans, while Callum Ah Chee also had work done in the final term on a shoulder.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott lamented his side's finishing, particularly in a disastrous second quarter.

"We just lacked a bit of polish tonight," Scott said.

"I thought our second quarter was just a bit of a dog's breakfast.

"I thought about going next door to the timekeepers to see if we could try and bring half time forward because we just couldn't arrest some of the errors we were making in the second quarter and Gold Coast, to their credit, really looked to attack the game."

WATCH: Lynch leads the way with a bag

MEDICAL ROOM
Gold Coast: After sustaining a hamstring niggle against the Saints last week, Pearce Hanley twinged it again. After a scything second quarter run off half-back, the Irishman pulled up a short before leaving the field. He returned to finish the half but did come out again after the main break. "He hasn't strained it," coach Rodney Eade said. "He didn't do it, but it feels the same as what it did last week. We'll just wait and see (if he plays next week)." Callum Ah Chee played the final quarter with a sore shoulder and Eade said the small forward would have it assessed in the next few days. 

North Melbourne: After an exciting four-goal outing, Jarrad Waite was taken from the field in the final quarter with a calf problem. He had it iced and missed the final 20 minutes of the match. Brad Scott said he wasn't sure of the severity of the injury. "Fingers crossed he comes up OK but we can't give a definitive diagnosis just yet."

NEXT UP
Gold Coast might have kept its flickering finals hopes alive, but will face the competition's in-form team next Saturday when it travels to Sydney to play the Swans. North Melbourne hosts Fremantle next Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

GOLD COAST                 6.3   11.5   13.6   18.10   (118)
NORTH MELBOURNE    4.5    5.8    8.13   14.15    (99) 

GOALS
Gold Coast: Lynch 5, Ainsworth 4, Sexton 2, Martin 2, Swallow 2, Miller, Wright, Fiorini
North Melbourne: Waite 4, Brown 3, Daw, Clarke, Hrovat, Wood, Atley, Higgins, Mullett 

BEST 
Gold Coast: Lyons, Martin, Lynch, Swallow, Ablett, Ainsworth
North Melbourne: Waite, McDonald, Higgins, Swallow 

INJURIES 
Gold Coast: Hanley (hamstring)
North Melbourne: Williams (back) replaced in selection side by Thomas, Waite (calf) 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Haussen, Hay, Ryan

Official crowd: 12,779 at Metricon Stadium

Superstar Sun Gary Ablett is chaired off the ground following his 300th game. Picture: AFL Photos