Grading every player in Gold Coast's belting of “uncompetitive” Geelong

Gold Coast has taken full advantage of Geelong's lack of Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins, Sam De Koning and Patrick Dangerfield, battering the Cats up in Darwin to claim their biggest win of the year.

The Suns blew the game open in the second term, kicking seven goals to one and once again proving they are tough to beat in the Darwin heat.

There would be a generation of young Cats fans who haven't experienced a crushing defeat like this, going down 164-100 in what was a horrid performance. 15 goals were kicked in a final term where defending went right out the door.

Given the missing players, the travel and the 28 degrees, it did feel like Geelong dropped their shoulders somewhat from there, ultimately with their eyes on the long term.

Kane Cornes described the Geelong performance as "confronting" on AFL Nation, wondering whether this three-week patch of form is more indicative of where they sit this season.

"It's been a lack of competitiveness from Geelong tonight," Cornes added.

See our rankings of every player below:

Gold Coast

Noah Anderson - A+

41 disposals. 15 score involvements. Two goals. The most touches ever in an AFL game at TIO Stadium (tied with our man Kane). Handy night!

Matt Rowell - A+

A career-high 35 disposals for Matt Rowell. Showed off some excellent field kicking touch in tough conditions to go with his usual contested work.

Bailey Humphrey - A+

Has got some serious class, Humphrey. Hardwick is clearly letting him develop his forward craft this year and he snagged five goals in this one. Could be anything at his peak.

Jack Lukosius - A

Clearly the best player on the ground in the first quarter, kicking three goals - and could even have had four or five. Then disappeared for two quarters before bobbing up again late.

Sam Flanders - A-

Had 37 disposals, seven score involvements, seven marks and four clearances... certainly found a lot of it around the ground tonight.

David Swallow - B+

Spent quite a bit of time on ball tonight, his most impactful performance of the season to date.

Sam Collins - B+

Would've had a big smile on his face coming into this one given Geelong's outs. Was far too good for Shannon Neale tonight.

Ben King - B+

Didn't touch the footy until the second term and yet somehow ended up with four goals and is now leading the Coleman. Talk about a tale of two halves.

Ned Moyle - B

Hard to imagine he remains at the Suns next year, with Jarrod Witts set to remain the number one ruckman. Moyle looks ready to be a starting ruck and you'd think someone will grant him the opportunity.

Touk Miller - B

Alex Sexton - B

Always looks comfortably in the half back role and found enough of the footy tonight. The question will be whether Hardwick trusts him as a best 22 player.

Ben Ainsworth - B

Sam Day - B-

Showed he can still do it at AFL level and is a very capable depth piece to have on Gold Coast's list. Kicked three goals.

Ben Long - B-

Played forward for the majority of the night and hit the scoreboard. Can he earn a spot in the best 22 as a defensive forward?

Bodhi Uwland - C+

Thomas Berry - C+

Earned praise from Kane Cornes on the AFL Nation broadcast for his toughness going back with the flight in the fourth term.

Charlie Ballard - C+

Joel Jeffrey - C+

Looks good in his role across half back. Just needs to start winning a bit more of the footy.

Lloyd Johnston - C+

Willing to take on some very difficult kicks, shows some class. Didn't find a whole heap of the footy, but the raw talent is very clear.

Sam Clohesy - C-

Brayden Fiorini - D+

One of the few Suns who didn't cash in tonight. Had a costly turnover in the first half as well.

Mac Andrew - N/A

Subbed out at half time after a big collision. Was seen with ice on his calf.

Alex Davies - N/A

Subbed on at half time and spent some time on-ball.

GEELONG

Gryan Miers - A

Attempted to make things happen as he always does. Had a few uncharacteristic clangers, but everyone was off tonight for Geelong. Finished with 30 and two goals so the stat sheet looks good at least.

Tyson Stengle - B+

One of the few Cats who looked likely to hit the scoreboard tonight, kicking three goals.

Max Holmes - B

Moved on-ball in the second half to try and change things up.

Jack Henry - B

Couldn't have done much more giving up size to Ben King. Kept the Suns forward very quiet while the game was alive.

Oliver Dempsey - B

Brandan Parfitt - B

Tom Atkins - C+

One of the few Cats who didn't fumble when the game was hot early.

Toby Conway - C+

The young ruckman tried hard and should keep his spot ahead of Rhys Stanley next week. Ned Moyle won the match-up, though.

Zach Tuohy - C+

Covered a lot of ground and found himself on Jack Lukosius at times. Kicked a nice goal.

Mark O'Connor - C

Zach Guthrie - C

Has had an outstanding year, but Geelong's intercept defenders had no impact tonight.

Gary Rohan - C

Oliver Henry - C-

Looked like the number one forward target across the night, but had no impact when the game turned sharply in Gold Coast's favour.

Jake Kolodjashnij - C-

Lost a few key one-on-ones early when the game was alive. Not having Sam De Koning down there hurt.

Brad Close - C-

Fair to say Brad Close will be back in the long sleeves next week! Tough night to be a small forward for the Cats.

Mark Blicavs - D+

Tanner Bruhn - D+

Potentially still working his way back from injury, but was very quiet tonight.

Oisin Mullin - D+

Did a great tagging job last week on Jason Horne-Francis. Had no dedicated role tonight.

Tom Stewart - D+

For the second week in a row, Stewart was a complete non-factor. Didn't take a mark for the first time in his career.

Jack Bowes - D

Cameron Guthrie - D

Had a very quiet nine disposals before being subbed out in the third term. Chris Scott managing his minutes or something more?

Shannon Neale D-

Had a big chance to stamp his spot in this side without Cameron and Hawkins. Dropped a few uncontested marks inside 50. Held very quiet by Sam Collins.

Jhye Clark - N/A

Subbed on in the third term to change up the midfield mix.