St Kilda have beaten Gold Coast by three points in controversial circumstances to condemn the finals-chasing Suns to their sixth defeat on the road from as many attempts. With Gold Coast leading by three points at Marvel Stadium, young Suns defender Mac Andrew was penalised for an off-the-ball hold on Saints spearhead Max King as the pair jostled close to goal. With less than three minutes to go, much to Andrew's dismay, King converted from point-blank range and St Kilda held on for a 7.

9 (51) to 7.6 (48) win in front of 17,992 fans on Saturday night. It spared St Kilda's blushes, mere minutes after Suns skipper Touk Miller escaped Marcus Windhager's tag to give the visitors the lead for the first time after the Saints had dominated much of the game without reward.

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. Damien Hardwick's Suns (7-6) had the opportunity to cement themselves in the top eight - and sit outside the top four on percentage alone - with a victory, but they will instead drop out of the eight by the round's end. Ross Lyon's St Kilda (5-8) sit 14th, two wins outside the finals places.

For the Saints, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (28 disposals) and Jack Sinclair (31 touches) were classy, while Rowan Marshall (24 hitouts, seven clearances) and Jack Steele (20 touches, six clearances) got to work on the inside. Sam Collins worked hard in defence all game for the Suns, while Sam Flanders (42 disposals) continued his prolific form of.