A stellar end to this week's footy fixture as the Gold Coast Suns edge out Essendon by 11 points in the tightest of battles up north.

The Bombers put their class on display from the jump, running rampant off the back flank to claim five scores from their first six inside 50’s.

“Like Pavlov’s dog… he salivates at the sight of a new contract”, Dwayne Russell spectacularly called on Fox Footy regarding Jake Stringer, having a few early touches but failing to have any significant impact as the contest progressed.

Courtesy of a Bailey Humphrey heave, the Suns remained in the game ahead of the first break despite the Dons’ overwhelming dominance.

The game very much flipped on its head in the second quarter, with the Suns dominating field position however struggling to find the sticks early in the term.

Peter Wright proved his worth after he was dumped from the coast a short while ago, however one man was not quite enough to halt the run as the Suns amounted nine forward half intercepts for three consecutive goals in the quarter.

A back-and-forth battle saw the Gold Coast take an eight-point advantage into the main break.

The best of starts from the Suns had the young mob land two quick blows to commence the second half, with Ben Long securing the third of his four to mark his 100th game in style.

The influence of Jordan Ridley allowed the likes of Nic Martin and Andy McGrath to charge from the back half without conceding defensive prowess early, however as the game went on, turnovers became significant with all of Gold Coast’s first eight goals coming from turnover.

Essendon found momentum but a few missed opportunities and instant replies kept the Suns ahead by two majors leading to the final exchange.

Back-to-back goals for the Dons levelled the score with 15 minutes to play following a contentious 50-meter penalty, but a quick response yet again kept the Suns ahead.

The contest remained back-and-fourth before a free-kick and 50 meter penalty sealed the victory for the Gold Coast, ending the contest (14.7) 91 to the Bombers' (11.14) 80.

We graded every player in Round 12's final fixture.

Gold Coast Suns

Noah Anderson: A+

A classic Anderson game. 33 touches, five tackles, eight clearances and seven score involvements, he had his fingerprints on everything for the Suns.

Matt Rowell: A

Will win every dog fight, and did. 26 disposals, 10 tackles and eight clearances for the bull.

Mac Andrew: A

Silky smooth in every way. Already proving his value as one of the best intercepting defenders in the competition. 25 touches at almost 90 per cent to go with eight intercepts. Some player.

Sam Collins: A

An incredible performance. Held an in-form Langford to just four touches, won several contests and looked unbeatable deep. 12 touches, 11 intercepts.

Ben King: A

Presented all day and dominated the battle of the Bens. Four goals from his 10 touches.

Touk Miller: A-

Cleaning up all over the park. A solid first half but a stronger second. A solid 28 touches and the sealer in the fourth.

Ben Long: A-

100th game off the back of an impressive performance last week, continued his stellar form with four majors.

Bodhi Uwland: B+

The kid held Jake Stringer to almost no impact in the first half. No easy feat. Highly trusted in the back half with good reason. Game-high 13 marks.

Ned Moyle: B+

Seriously impressive, as he has been in every feature this year.

Sam Flanders: B+

Came from the ground with a rolled ankle in the first term but that didn’t faze him. 19 touches up to the half, 33 to finish.

Ben Ainsworth: B

Very good. Lively in the front half, found the sticks, solid.`

Alex Sexton: B

An efficient 30.

Will Graham: B-

Growing in confidence, looking like a future star. Labelled “the Speed Machine” by Pipe on Fox Footy, hoping it sticks.

Jed Walter: B-

Not a whole lot on the stat sheet but a very good game from the teenager. Starting to use his body to full effect.

Joel Jeffrey: B-

Bailey Humphrey: B-

What is the ceiling for this kid? Hard to set a limit. A goal and nine touches but highly influential in the front half before being subbed out in the fourth.

Sam Clohesy: C+

Brayden Fiorini: C+

Mostly good, a major blunder in the third left a goal begging but for the most part, a good game.

Nick Holman: C+

Jack Lukosius: C+

Tom Berry: C

Charlie Ballard: C

David Swallow: N/A

Started as the sub, cemented his place in history by now holding the longest streak of VFL/AFL games without a final.

Essendon

Zach Merrett: A+

Incredible yet again. Inspired the ball movement for the Bombers all afternoon. 33 disposals and seven clearances.

Jordan Ridley: A

Cannot understate how much influence this guy has on the Dons’ back six. Allows so much freedom without sacrificing strength in defence. 22 touches, six intercepts and nine marks.

Nick Hind: A

One of their best last week and one of their best yet again. In career-best form. A solid 24 and a goal to go with a game-high 10 score involvements.

Nic Martin: B+

No need to check the heat map, it’s all red. Covers the ground as good as any from start to finish, just lacked the polish that we know he has.

Sam Durham: B+

Continues to improve. Hard as nails, finds the ball and uses it to great effect.

Mason Redman: B+

10 intercepts for Reddog.

Andrew McGrath: B

Peter Wright: B

First goal back on the coast in a revenge-fuelled performance.

Archie Perkins: B

Needs to find a way to enhance his involvement. So talented, effective with the ball but not used nearly enough.

Jye Caldwell: B

Absolute brute. Kicked a massive goal in the third alongside 10 tackles to continue a run of hot form.

Nick Bryan: B-

A late in for the managed Goldstein and held his own.

Dyson Heppell: B-

Jayden Laverde: C+

Very underrated as an interceptor.

Nick Cox: C+

Didn't do much in the first three quarters but kicked two huge goals in the final term to finish with three majors.

Jye Menzie: C+

Kicked a very important goal late in the contest.

Harrison Jones: C+

Kicked a goal and set up another in the first term, failed to properly impact following.

Ben McKay: C

Smashed by Ben King.

Jade Gresham: C

Jake Kelly: C

Kicked his first goal for the year, was not quite able to play the shut-down role he’s been so good at in recent weeks.

Matt Guelfi: C

Stepped up to kick a massive goal with two minutes to play.

Jake Stringer: C-

While his season has been spectacular, it took Jake some time to get going. Just the 13 touches at under 40% usage.

Kyle Langford: D

No impact at all. Beaten comfortably by Sam Collins, just four touches and two behinds before coming off injured in the final term.

Elijah Tsatas: N/A

Started as the sub, came on late.