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

Abcnews · Andrew McGarry · 2026-08-20T08:58:57+00:00 · nguồn gốc

live AFL Rd 24 live updates: St Kilda vs Gold Coast at Docklands. Live blog, scores and stats Retiring Gold Coast hero Nick Holman kicks two goals as his side finishes its season with a 23-point win at Docklands. Follow all the action in our live blog. Submit a comment or question Live updates AFL Thursday Scoreboard New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters 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." 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. Key Event 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." Key Event 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. 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. 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? 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! 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. Key Event 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. 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! Jed Walter extends the lead for the Suns The frustration would be mounting for St Kilda and Ross Lyon. The Suns went inside 50 to the right forward pocket. A kick went wide and not far enough, but Jed Walter got up and took a big grab next to the square. And he ran round and scored! That may be two disposals and two goals for Walter... Frustration for Saints as Dougal Howard hits the post Earlier we saw Nick Holman kick a goal in his final game for Gold Coast. Now we nearly had a similar outcome at the other end! The Saints broke down the middle and Dougal Howard marked just outside 50. The arc was open past the men on the mark, so he kicked long over the top, it bounced, and bounced ... and hit the post! Low scoring third term Not sure if there is moisture on the ground, or players are getting tired, or what - but we are halfway through the third term and it's been 0.4 to Gold Coast, no score to the Saints. On the bad news front, Jack Silvagni looks like he may have done a shoulder or something else. He looks in distress out there.