A scintillating Gold Coast have thumped an under-strength Geelong by 64 points to put the AFL world on notice and condemn the Cats to their third consecutive defeat.
A breathtaking second quarter, including six unanswered goals, set the Suns on their way before they kicked on for a 26.8.164 to 15.10.100 victory at Darwin's Marrara Oval.
The sublime Jack Lukosius starred with five majors and five goal assists and he was well-supported by Bailey Humphrey (five goals), Ben King (four) and Sam Day (three), among others.
Gold Coast's highest-ever score lifts them to sixth on the ladder, while second-placed Geelong are in danger of slipping out of the top four.
Coming off a five-day break in their most impressive showing under Damien Hardwick, Gold Coast smashed Geelong out of the middle as they chase a first-ever finals berth.
Noah Anderson (41 disposals and two goals), Matt Rowell (35 disposals), Touk Miller (32 and eight clearances) and Sam Flanders (37 touches) were dominant around the ball.
Geelong's Tyson Stengle (three goals), Max Holmes (32 disposals), Ollie Dempsey (25 touches) and Gryan Myers (29 touches, two goals) fought hard on a dirty night.
The Suns generally handled the slippery conditions better and while they enjoyed a favourable free kick count (25-14), they dominated around the ground.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.
That's it from the blog for tonight!
Well that was quite something, not sure we'll see another game quite like that again this year.
It's one to remember for the Suns, among the very best nights in their club's history. For Geelong, it's a third straight defeat and comfortably the most alarming of the three. This season takes yet another twist.
I'll be back tomorrow night as Sydney face off against Carlton, and I hope to see you again then.
Suns' superstars step up in a big way
Who gets the Brownlow votes tonight? It's surely a raffle between Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell, but that's not to downplay a few other big performances.
- Noah Anderson: 41 disposals, five clearances and two goals
- Matt Rowell: 35 disposals, 10 tackles, eight clearances and a goal
- Jack Lukosius: 16 disposals, eight marks and five goals
- Bailey Humphrey: 16 disposals, five tackles and five goals
FT: Suns complete incredible 64-point win over Cats
The Cats wouldn't have kicked 100 points and lost too many times under Chris Scott. They've certainly never kicked 100 points and lost by 64 before.
The Suns basically had this game won at half-time, but were in no mood to let up after the long break. They ran all over Geelong tonight, letting up slightly in a defensive sense in the last quarter but while still banging on goal after goal at the same time.
In the end it's a pretty strange night. The Cats' midfield got belted, but actually won the clearances and finished level in contested possessions. It was on the outside that Geelong couldn't keep up and in defence that they were completely outmatched.
The high-scoring in this game makes it tough to get a read on it really. The Suns have looked sensational and shipped 100 points. The Cats have looked dismal but kicked 100 points. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, as ever. But still, this is a night worth celebrating for Gold Coast and a successful stint in Darwin completed.
Gryan Miers kicks another goal for Geelong
For crying out loud, what are we watching here? If this is what people want footy to look like — a million goals, no defence, wide open — then count me out.
The Cats walk it out of a centre clearance unopposed and let Miers convert on the run from 40.
Bailey Humphrey has five goals as well!
He's cramping up as he celebrates his feats, but this is comfortably a career-best haul for young Humphrey.
What a weird game this has been. 40 goals kicked between them. Basically no defence at all been played since half-time.
Shannon Neale kicks his second for the night
The young key forward has had some really bright moments tonight but has made some bad errors too.
There's definitely something to work with there with Neale. He will be key in the post-Hawkins world, whenever that comes.
Tyson Stengle boots another for Geelong
He's had a good game, probably pretty close to Geelong's best on the night.
Scoring hasn't really been the issue for the Cats tonight, and Stengle has been at the heart of their best attacking moves. A good night for crumbers.
Jack Lukosius has five! What a night!
This is like a game from the '90s now. Too many goals, quite frankly. They didn't have to blog those shootouts, and thank goodness too.
The Cats haven't been able to take intercept marks in defence tonight and that alone has taken away so much of their game. Lukosius was lurking at ground level and snuck through his fifth.
Noah Anderson kicks another as the Suns make history!
For the first time in their history, the Gold Coast Suns have kicked 150 points or more in a game.
It's also the largest score ever conceded by a Chris Scott coached Geelong side.
Noah Anderson's goal on the run from 40 helps them raise the bat again.
Brad Close gets on the end of some Geelong desperation
Mark Blicavs didn't let that ball trickle out for a throw without a fight, and instead whacked it back in play to Close who was able to goal from close range.
He's not in the long sleeves tonight, Brad Close. Perhaps that's the problem.
Make it four for big Ben King
Fair to say the wheels have fallen off for the Cats now.
Ben King was awarded a free kick for in the back, even though it very much looked like it was he who had done the infringing. The Geelong players certainly thought so, and a 50m penalty is awarded for dissent as they argued the toss.
Ollie Henry pulls one back for the Cats
Henry has been a bright spark inside 50 but has had to play fairly tall all night with the regular big boppers missing.
The Cats forwards have fought hard on limited opportunity. Still 13 minutes left in this one.
Noah Anderson adds a goal to his massive stat sheet
The clearance numbers are dead level, but when the Suns take it out of the stoppage they do it with clean handball chains that are leading to shots on goal.
Anderson has so often been key to that, and this time got on the end of it to snap through from 45 out. He's been sensational tonight.
Ben King has three for the night
And with that, Ben King is leading the Coleman Medal race.
Not one has been a set shot or from a mark tonight, it's all been ground-level work for King tonight. He can hurt you in so many different ways.
Jhye Clark sneaks one through for the Cats
The Geelong sub was activated in the third quarter, Cam Guthrie the man to make way for Jhye Clark.
Clark found some space at a forward-50 stoppage and snapped neatly from the pocket.
Jack Lukosius has kicked four!
He doesn't mind these Darwin games at all.
The Cats haven't had an answer for him tonight. Lukosius has kicked four and has passed off a couple too. He's beaten Geelong in the air and around the ground in his best game of the year so far.
Max Holmes kicks the first of the last for Geelong
Not much by way of celebration, but a nice finish nonetheless.
Tyson Stengle was at the heart of it, as he has been for most of Geelong's good moments tonight. One of the few Cats who has been able to control the ball at ground level.
What's gone wrong for Geelong?
Hi Dean, this is really fascinating seeing Geelong challenged this way, do u think it’s the heat? Or being down players? Or a Suns advantage of sorts?