SUNS BREAK BLUES HEARTSFull match coverage and stats

But the Suns battled their way into the forward line in the last minute of the game, with Bowes pouncing on a loose ball to snap the match-winning goal on his left foot, sealing the 8.11 (59) to 8.9 (57) victory.

Bowes match-winner saved the Suns from embarrassment after a butchered opportunity to almost seal the match minutes earlier.

YOU WOULDN'T READ ABOUT IT#AFLSunsBluespic.twitter.com/KzzCXVPjUM

— AFL (@AFL)April 14, 2019

Up by one point with about seven minutes left on the clock, Alex Sexton kicked a long bomb that appeared to be on its way through for a goal.

Gold Coast forward Peter Wright was free in the goal square and tried to mark the ball, but he only managed to fumble it through for a point.

ANALYSISWhy 'Two-Metre Peter' was the most relieved man at Metricon

Straight through the hands of Wright!#AFLSunsBluespic.twitter.com/d1GKOaXihs

— AFL (@AFL)April 14, 2019

Carlton punished the Suns for the error, transitioning the ball from the kick-in all the way into the forward 50, where Cripps scored a goal from a set shot from about 20m out.

Anguish for Blues veteran Dale Thomas on the siren. Picture: Getty Images

For the Blues, midfielder Sam Walsh continued to show why he was last year's No.1 draft pick, with stepping up to record 28 disposals, six marks and six tackles.

Walsh played with a confidence beyond his 18 years to complement Carlton's more experienced midfield stars Cripps (30 disposals) and Marc Murphy (29 disposals, 15 marks).

WATCHThe thrilling last two minutes

Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones were rocks in the Carlton defence, rebounding the ball repeatedly for the Blues.

Touk Miller was a standout for Gold Coast, jumping out of the blocks to register a team-record nine tackles in the first quarter, and he continued to be a strong presence around the ball, finishing with a match-high 31 disposals and 14 tackles, but was let down by some poor kicks in the last quarter.

Daisy Thomas winding back the clock with a fine grab!#AFLSunsBluespic.twitter.com/zxp7dtd4L1

— AFL (@AFL)April 14, 2019

Co-captain David Swallow was also strong in the Suns midfield, influential with his 30 disposals, while defender Sam Collins continued his good form.

Up forward, unlikely goal kicker Nick Holman scored two important second-half goals.

'BENNY HILL SHOW'Dew rides the rollercoaster in dramatic finish

Blue Will Setterfield will come under scrutiny from the Match Review Officer after a second-quarter tackle that concussed Sun Wil Powell.

Powell's head slammed into the Metricon Stadium turf in the tackle. The young Sun tried to stand but staggered backwards and fell over before trainers took him off the field for the rest of the game. 

Wil Powell is currently undergoing a medical assessment after this tackle from Will Setterfield.#AFLSunsBluespic.twitter.com/tOKQDJESuN

— AFL (@AFL)April 14, 2019

Gold Coast is now 3-1 for the season, with all four matches decided by less than a goal – a one-point loss to St Kilda, a three-point win over Fremantle, a five-point win over the Western Bulldogs and today's two-point victory.  

MEDICAL ROOM

Gold Coast: Defender Jack Hombsch came off in the first quarter with an elbow injury but was able to resume after some attention on the bench. Wil Powell came off the field in the second quarter with concussion following a strong Will Setterfield tackle.
Carlton:A ginger-looking Mitch McGovern came off in the fourth quarter but returned to the field.

NEXT UP

Gold Coast will face Adelaide away next Sunday afternoon. Carlton will still be searching for its first win against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

GOLD COAST3.1      4.4      5.8      8.11 (59)
CARLTON     1.3      5.4      7.7      8.9 (57)

GOALS

Gold Coast:Holman 2, Sexton 2, Wright, Bowes, Ainsworth, Witts
Carlton:McGovern 3, Cripps 2, Curnow, Fisher, Walsh

BEST 

Gold Coast:Miller, Swallow, Collins, Harbrow, Holman, Fiorini
Carlton:Walsh, Jones, Weitering, Cripps, Murphy, Fisher

INJURIES 

Gold Coast:Powell (concussion)
Carlton:Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Nicholls, Foot, Glouftsis

Official crowd: 14,176 at the Metricon Stadium