Latest news with #ToukMiller
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Gold Coast defender's gesture raises eyebrows as tempers boil over
The finger point from Gold Coast defender Nick Holman said it all. The Suns star was left furious after watching Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe awarded a controversial free kick during the Hawks' third quarter comeback in Thursday night's thriller in Darwin. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The Suns were given a huge scare when Hawthorn took the lead in the fourth quarter, but they kicked the final two goals of the game to win 16.8 (104) to 15.6 (96). It was the Suns' eighth straight win in at TIO Stadium. With the Hawks launching a comeback that saw them kick eight goals to two from late in the second term through to three-quarter time, frustrations exploded late in the term in the Hawthorn forward line. Newcombe's free-kick was the trigger that sparked an all-in melee. The 23-year-old went to ground after Suns star Touk Miller, playing in his 200th game, reached across his opponent's body during a marking contest inside the Hawks' forward 50m arc. You can watch the free kick in the video player above. After hearing the whistle blow, Miller's incredulous smile showed exactly how he felt about Newcombe's act. Holman then ran in and went a step further by barking in Newcombe's face and sticking his index finger out as the Hawks star went to line up for his shot on goal. Hawthorn's best-and-fairest winner from 2024 slotted the goal and then celebrated with a roar as Miller charged in to give him a bump. Several Suns players then ran in to give Newcombe a shove or two before things began to simmer. Another scuffle involving several players broke out after Blake Hardwick kicked his third goal for the night deep in the third quarter to give the Hawks the lead for the first time. As Hawthorn and Port Adelaide great Shaun Burgoyne noted, 'there was a lot of spice in that quarter off the ball'. Crows legend Eddie Betts said the Hawks appeared to be the team that benefited most from the physical battle. 'There is so much spice in it. The crowd was … going crazy. There was a big fight there,' Betts said on Fox Footy. 'But I think that is what got Hawthorn back into it, their energy and their spice to compete.' in the end the Suns got it done for their inspirational leader Miller. The milestone man got his chance to celebrate the occasion early on responding to a Hawk's opener with one from his own from the edge of the 50. Noah Anderson was huge for a second week in the Top End conditions and played out a 30 disposal game and had a wonder goal of his own. John Noble had 35 possessions in a defensive effort that helped the Suns secure an early lead and continued to show up all night.
7NEWS
16-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Four words from Touk Miller's dad used as inspiration for Gold Coast's win over Hawthorn
Touk Miller helped ice the contest in his milestone game after his father had delivered the inspiration for their enthralling eight-point defeat of Hawthorn in Darwin. The top-four sides took turns dominating on Thursday night at TIO Stadium, the Hawks leading in the final quarter after going behind by 32 points in the second term. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Touk Miller's dad delivers epic pump-up speech. But the Suns — chasing a maiden finals appearance — had the answers in a 16.8 (104) to 15.6 (96) win that jumped them ahead of the Hawks (7-3) into second on the live ladder with a 7-2 record. Miller (22 disposals, eight clearances, two goals) ran freely early, then popped up with a major that pushed the lead to eight points late in the final quarter. That came after father Wylie, an American soul singer and bass guitarist, delivered a rousing pump-up speech to the players the day before his son's 200th game. In the speech, Wylie said 'all gas, no brakes', which was used by Suns coach Damien Hardwick as inspiration. 'We did mention it, and used a great line from his dad — 'All gas, no brakes' — as inspiration,' Hardwick said. 'It's funny how the emotional connection can be of significant importance in a time of need. I thought our last quarter was very good. 'For the players to get up and drag themselves over the line for that special individual was quite a significant milestone.' The back-to-back wins over the Western Bulldogs and Hawks in Darwin has the Suns firmly on track to play finals for the first time in their history. 'We're excited to play against contenders and be on the winning end,' Hardwick said. 'It's a sign of the growth. We were disappointing in these matches last year, especially when challenged. 'We've still got a lot of home games to come. The exciting thing is that we win away. That's one of our aims. The guys have grown. 'This group is gaining belief, momentum and where we go is up to us.' Loading Tweet Sam Mitchell 'torn' after close loss Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has reminded his side that they're 'good but not great' after becoming the latest victims of the red-hot Gold Coast. Last season's Gold Coast spanking reduced the Hawks to 0-5, but sparked their resurgence that led to a tight, semi-final exit. Conscious of their progress since then - and the Suns' new-found legitimacy - Mitchell will leave Darwin with mixed emotions. 'I'm a bit torn,' Mitchell said. 'There's part of me, at 30-something points down that's pleased and proud but there's also a part that shows we're not where we want to be just yet. 'We've shown we're making progress in that direction but we've got work to do to beat the best sides. 'The Suns, here, are in that category. 'We're about where we deserve to be and that standard we hold ourselves to is getting higher and higher. 'This time last year it was easy to improve. Now we're a good side, but we're not a great side. 'That's the challenge now, what we accept of each other, just need to continue to make those gains.' Hawthorn will host ladder-leaders and defending premiers Brisbane, a team they've beaten on each of their last five attempts. 'The goal is to compete with the really good sides when it really matters. Today was an opportunity, and our next game is against Brisbane, so we get another chance,' he said. Mitchell praised inexperienced ruckman Ned Reeves in his battle with Gold Coast's dual rucks Jarrod Witts and Ned Moyle and gushed at Nick Watson's first-half impact. The 20-year-old kicked three goals despite the Suns' midfield dominance but was unable to add to that tally in the second half. 'When the rest aren't going that well it's quite hard to be the one that stands out and does the right thing at the right time,' Mitchell said. 'Without him in the first 40 minutes, we were well and truly out of it. 'His challenge is to do it for longer ... that's what comes when you're 20 years old.'
