Superstar Gary Ablett Jr gave Adelaide an early fright when Gold Coast played Adelaide for the first time in Round Eight of the 2011 season.

The 2009 Brownlow Medallist, Gold Coast’s biggest recruit for its debut AFL season, celebrated his 27th birthday by kicking three goals in seven minutes in the opening term at AAMI Stadium as the Suns raced to a 27-1 lead.

Gold Coast had beaten Port Adelaide and Brisbane in earlier rounds while the struggling Crows lost to Melbourne by 16 goals the previous week, adding to the anxiety for the home crowd.  

Adelaide responded, however, before the upbeat Suns went any further, adding nine consecutive goals to lead by 31 points at half-time.

Ablett booted his fourth goal in the opening minute of the third term but Adelaide controlled the rest of the game, Patrick Dangerfield kicking six goals in the 57-point win, 20.10 (130) to 9.19 (73).

Crows captain Nathan van Berlo (36 disposals), Graham Johncock, Scott Thompson, Rory Sloane and ruck Sam Jacobs also helped turn the game around after the sluggish start. Small forwards Chris Knights and Matthew Wright both kicked two goals from 24 disposals.

Ablett’s impact reduced in the second half when Richard Douglas took on a defensive role but still picked up the three Brownlow Medal votes for his 41 disposals, 13 clearances and four goals.

It was also the first time 2008 Crows Club Champion Nathan Bock played against his former club, having joined the Suns ahead of its AFL debut season.