GOLD Coast has got its season back on track, running away from Geelong in a strong final quarter to win by 25 points at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

The Suns led at each change and overcame a poor night in front of goal to win 18.16 (124) to 15.9 (99).

The Suns won their third match of the season on the back of a strong midfield performance, but it didn't come easily.

After leading by 22 points early in the fourth quarter, the Suns had to withstand a Geelong fightback that drew it within five points following a Darcy Lang goal.

But Gold Coast finished full of running to pull away deserved winners, consigning the Cats to their second straight loss.

"I'm pleased the way we were able to answer some challenges," Suns coach Rodney Eade said.

"We started slowly, arrested some momentum, in third quarter they came at us and I thought they had momentum and we kicked the last couple of goals, and in the last quarter they got within six points for a little bit of time and to answer that (was great).

"With a young group we're learning, we're getting better."

Five talking points: Gold Coast v Geelong

While Gary Ablett (32 disposals and one goal) had a strong night against his former club, he got plenty of help.

Jarrod Harbrow (30) was magnificent at half-back, while co-captain Steven May (26 disposals) returned strongly from two weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury to negate Tom Hawkins.

Aaron Hall (32 touches and eight tackles) was busy and David Swallow – returning from a week of rest – was a beast around the contest, with 20 of his 23 possessions contested.

He also had 10 clearances.

The Suns won all the key indicators and could have won more comfortably if they converted a 71-48 inside 50 advantage.

They missed a number of easy set shots, but were not made to pay.

Tom Lynch (3.5) got on top of Tom Lonergan to have a major influence as the match wore on, while Peter Wright (1.4) also looked good in general play but let himself down in front of goal.

The much-vaunted Cats duo of Patrick Dangerfield (29) and Joel Selwood (24) battled hard, but didn't have a huge impact on the contest.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said the second straight loss was disappointing.

"We played poorly again," he said.

"There's clear things in our game that we need to improve, we're going through a flat spot.

"On one level it's easy to identify and hopefully relatively quick to fix.

"What we're delivering at the moment is leading to us being a very mediocre side."

Ablett sent a scare through the Suns camp late in the second quarter when he left the field clutching his right shoulder – the opposite shoulder to the one he's had surgery on twice - following a heavy tackle from Dangerfield.

However after five minutes of treatment he returned to the forward line and played the half out.

Geelong dropped simple marks in defence – one from Harry Taylor that led to the first of Callum Ah Chee's three goals – and fumbled with the ball when going forward.

Ablett brought the 13,648 spectators to their feet when he uncorked a stunning running goal from the junction of the 50m arc and the right hand boundary line late in the first term.

MEDICAL ROOM
Gold Coast: The Suns dodged a bullet before half-time when Gary Ablett left the field clutching his right shoulder. He came back on to play the game out and be one of the Suns' best. "He's fine. It's all in good shape," coach Rodney Eade said post-match.

Geelong: The Cats copped a blow before the match when Lachie Henderson was a late withdrawal after an incident in the warm up. While Chris Scott said he had little knowledge of the severity of the knock, the Cats coach said Henderson copped a bump to his ribs that forced his late omission. Joel Selwood rolled his ankle in the third quarter, but after hobbling from the ground, came back on to play out the match.

NEXT UP
The Suns are off to make history next Sunday when they take on Port Adelaide in China, trying to square their win-loss ledger at four apiece. The Cats will attempt to snap their two-game skid against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night.

GOLD COAST   5.5   9.9   12.11   18.16   (124)                  
GEELONG   3.1   7.3   10.7  15.9   (99)           

GOALS
Gold Coast: Lynch 3, Ah Chee 3, Matera 2, Sexton 2, Hall, Ablett, Barlow, Wright, Swallow, Lyons, Martin, Miller
Geelong: Hawkins 3, Menegola 3, Black 2, Menzel 2, Selwood, Mackie, Motlop, Lang, Duncan

BEST
Gold Coast: Harbrow, May, Ablett, Hall, Swallow, Lynch
Geelong: Menegola, Tuohy, Duncan, Selwood, Dangerfield

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Geelong: Henderson (ribs) replaced in selected side by Menegola

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Haussen, Nicholls, Hay

Official crowd: 13,648 at Metricon Stadium