1. Schulz playing for a new home
Port Adelaide announced earlier this week Jay Schulz would not be offered a new contract, meaning the match against Gold Coast would be his last for the club. The 31-year-old has said despite a serious back injury earlier this year, he wants to play on at AFL-level in 2017, and it showed in the first half. Schulz was dominant in the forward-50, kicking the Power's opening goal and finishing with three for the match. If he stays fit, the experienced forward could be a handy inclusion in a team looking for one last piece of the puzzle.
2. Young Sun shines
Move over O'Meara, Prestia and Swallow, there's a new young-gun Sun in town, and his name is Brayden Fiorini. The midfielder made his debut in last week's big loss to Collingwood, and while he bobbed up a few times, didn't set the world on fire. But with the Suns playing more competitively against Port Adelaide, Fiorini starred. He gained the most possessions in the TAC Cup last year playing with the Northern Knights, and continued his ball-winning ways on Saturday night. He kicked two third-quarter goals as the Suns made a charge, and finished with 32 disposals, seven marks and 11 tackles.
3. Flash to the future for the Power
Riley Bonner was Port Adelaide's first pick from last year's draft (No.37), and was handed his debut in the Power's last game for the season after a solid month in the SANFL. Playing off half-back, Bonner was impressive, continually moving the ball through the middle of the ground and setting up numerous shots on goal. By half-time, the debutant had picked up 14 disposals, the second-most for his team. He finished with 22 for the match. Bonner showed his class with a shot on goal in the third term from outside 50 on the run, which just failed to make the distance. He looks to be a classy long-term player for Port Adelaide.
4. Suns' wasted opportunities
The Suns will be rueing a slew of missed opportunities throughout the match, and could have (and maybe should have) won their seventh game for the season. Gold Coast dominated the opening 10 minutes of the match, but aside from a Matt Rosa goal, failed to add scoreboard pressure. The trend continued in the second quarter – the Suns went into half-time with 2.7 on the board. Key forwards Tom Lynch (1.4) and Sam Day (2.3) were the main culprits, and the loss capped off a disappointing season.
5. Sun sets on disappointing seasons
Both Gold Coast and Port Adelaide came into the season with legitimate finals hopes, but both have finished outside the top eight for different reasons. The Suns started the season brightly, winning their first three matches and sitting top of the ladder. But a string of devastating injuries to key players quickly took its toll, and Gold Coast tumbled down to finish the season in 15th. Port Adelaide was incredibly inconsistent, winning games they weren't meant to and throwing away chances to lock themselves in the top eight against lower-ranked teams. The Power jumped Melbourne to finish in 10th, two games out of the finals, and would be incredibly frustrated knowing their best is good enough to mix with the top sides.
