Suns Lose Collins Late, Start Fast Against Giants in Round 22
Gold Coast's dreadful 10-game losing streak was hanging by a thread before a ball was even bounced at Sydney Showground on 9 August 2026. Veteran defender Sam Collins was a late withdrawal, forcing coach Damien Hardwick into a last-minute line-up shuffle for the Round 22 clash against GWS. ABC News
Collins is the Suns' defensive anchor — the key backman who spoils and intercepts — and losing him hours before the opening siren is the last thing a side on a double-digit skid needs. The Giants, meanwhile, were still in the mix for the AFL wildcard round, the new play-in mini-final that gives lower-ranked teams a shot at September.
Hardwick had already made three changes for the match, headlined by the return of No. 2 draft pick Zeke Uwland. Fox Sports Uwland is one of the most hyped young talents in the competition, and getting him back on the park — in a game the Suns desperately needed to win — was a rare piece of good news for a club that has not tasted victory since May.
GWS had their own outs. Jayden Laverde was ruled out with a rib injury, depleting the Giants' defensive structure for a match they could not afford to drop if they wanted to keep their wildcard hopes alive. ABC News
Despite the disrupted preparation, Gold Coast came out firing. At quarter time the Suns led 3.4 (22) to 2.4 (16) — that is three goals and four behinds (the minor scores worth one point each) for 22, against two goals and four behinds for 16. Lachlan Gulbin kicked a goal from the pocket early, a sharp finish from a tight angle that gave the Suns early momentum. ABC News
For Gold Coast fans, the first quarter offered something they had not seen in a long time: urgency, clean hands and a bit of luck. Whether it holds for four quarters against a Giants side with everything to play for is the question.
Later on 9 August, West Coast was scheduled to host Collingwood at Perth Stadium from 4:10pm, rounding out a big day of Round 22 action. ABC News
