After three straight losses and some uncertainty over its spot in the eight, Gold Coast emphatically stamped itself as a finals contender in 2014. Geelong led early and threw plenty of punches, but despite a number of turnovers, the Suns gutsed it out and eventually ran all over their more fancied opponent. They have Hawthorn and Collingwood in the next fortnight – and would back themselves as a chance in both – and have a favourable draw in the final seven rounds. A maiden finals appearance is now theirs to lose.

In what was undoubtedly the best game of his young career, Harley Bennell showed the entire competition just what a special talent he is. He tore the Cats to shreds with 27 disposals, six goals and three goal assists in one of the best individual performances this season. The prodigiously talented 22-year-old kicked goals from set shots, snapped truly with both feet and iced the cake with a running goal from 50m. After missing the first six weeks with a calf injury, he has now kicked 14 goals in six matches and it's hard to see him slowing down. 

After his first foray into AFL was railroaded by a shoulder injury 10 minutes in, Jack Martin had a much bigger influence in his second game. One of the most hyped teenagers in the past decade finished with 15 disposals, six tackles and a fourth quarter goal where he ran alone into the goalsquare and almost put his kick over the enormous scoreboard at the northern end. His first kick hit Bennell on the chest and he never looked back, being a constant terrier around half-forward with his harassing pressure. The young West Australian is every bit as good as advertised.

Shane Kersten had to wait a while to make his debut but the big Geelong forward made a good fist of things. After two-and-a-half seasons terrorising the VFL, Kersten lined up alongside Tom Hawkins and showed he could be a good foil, kicking three goals from limited chances. He joined the club of players to kick a goal with their first kick in AFL after getting on the end of a nice left-footed pass from Mitch Duncan midway through the opening term. He added a second later in the quarter and rounded out his night with a long bomb early in the third.

He started the match wearing the hard tag of Cats stopper Cam Guthrie, but by the end of the fourth quarter, Gary Ablett had shaken free and become one of the most influential players in the win. He finished with 33 disposals and a goal – up from his average of 31 from three previous matches against the Cats. Just as importantly, Ablett had a match-high nine clearances as the Suns dominated 41-29 at the stoppages. It was the first time the Little Master has beaten his old club since leaving at the end of 2010.