AFL 2024 round 10 LIVE updates: Hot Suns better manage hot conditions to pull away from sloppy Cats in Darwin

It was all Gold Coast in the second quarter, who kicked seven goals to one to take a very handy 33-point lead into the main break.

They booted the last six of the game, while the Cats couldn’t keep their hands on the ball. This was summed up well by Tom Stewart, who dropped three marks – something that is very uncharacteristic.

But also, it’s very hot up there and the Suns are simply managing it better. They have cleaner ball skills and are almost clinical in their ball movement around the ground.

Jack Lukosius is leading the goals front with three, followed by Ben Long and Sam Day with two, with Noah Anderson leads the disposals with 21, followed by Matt Rowell and Touk Miller, each with 20.

Gold Coast by 33 at HT.

Now make that six unanswered goals to Gold Coast this quarter.

The last came from Ben Long, his second of the night, who was born in Darwin and has quite the fan club out at TIO Stadium for him tonight.

He is from Anmatjerre, Malak-Malak & Tiwi descent and shares relations with notable footballers duel Essendon premiership player Michael Long and the Rioli family, including Cyril, Daniel and William Junior, and AFLW star Danielle Ponter.

Gold Coast by 33.

Ben Long (one goal) and Sam Day (two goals) have kicked the last two majors of the day, after a score review as everyone waited already set up for the ball to bounce.

It gives the Suns a handy 23-point lead after they claimed the last four goals of the game. They appear to be managing the hot conditions better, with cleaner ball movement and fundamentals.

Gold Coast by 23.

Veteran Sun David Swallow has put the Suns up by 11, their biggest lead this game.

It’s the first buffer either side have had tonight in the high-intensity game in very hot conditions.

As soon as players come off, the ice towels are straight on their necks.

Gold Coast by 11.

And he’s absolutely gassed for it.

Bailey Humphrey scooped the ball up, twisted his body out of congestion and snapped it through for a goal.

And didn’t he love it – but he did also take a good minute to get back his breath back. It’s hot up there.

And on the Tom Stewart front, the veteran Cat is back out on the park and seemingly ok.

Gold Coast by 5.

Ben Ainsworth briefly gave the Suns back the lead with the first goal of the second term – which was the fourth lead change of the game.

You’ll never guess who the assist came from either? Yep, Jack Lukosius. He’s now been involved in every goal of the Suns so far.

It was just a minute later, however, that Tanner Bruhn kicked his first major for the Cats tonight. So, make that five lead changes.

There’s already been a massive 39 points kicked and we’re just over five minutes into the second quarter.

Geelong by 3.

Veteran Cat and vice-captain Tom Stewart hasn’t reemerged after the quarter-time break, which he spent with the physio.

Waiting for updates (which we’ll then update you with).

The first is Jack Lukosius. He thrives in the joint. Last year, he played two games at TIO Stadium and booted five goals on each occasion. Tonight he already has three of the Suns’ four opening-term goals.

The second is the cooler. Only in the NT. The game kicked off in 30C heat, making the ball slippery on a humid night, but at least players on interchange rotation were given time in a special cool room – set at 10C to help keep the core body temperature down.

Only three points separates the two teams, the margin in Geelong’s favour. But the Suns have controlled most of the play, leading the inside 50 count 16 to 11, and they have had 18 more disposals (62 to 51) on a night for long kicking. Strong defence has kept the Cats in the game, as well as goals from turnovers.

Three of the Cats’ first quarter goals came from Suns’ blunders, allowing Tyson Stengle, Gryan Miers and late call-up Zach Tuohy to pounce and score. Tuohy was a late in for Sam De Koning, who suffered hamstring soreness in the warm-up.

Gold Coast’s Sam Flanders is the leading possession winner with 12.