Gold Coast’s nightmare season has continued, losing to inspired Carlton by 13 points at Marvel Stadium for their ninth successive defeat.

Trailing by 12 points at the final break, the Suns opened the fourth quarter with three decisive goals to regain the lead.

But last season followed the script of the first three quarters: Gold Coast started strongly, before the Blues broke away at the end of the season.

George Hewett stepped up with a great goal, while off-season recruit Will Hayward sealed the Blues’ 16.14 (110) to 15.7 (97) victory with five minutes remaining.

Premiership favorites at the start of the season after an excellent start in March, as well as reaching the semi-finals last year, the Suns’ campaign has been plunged into chaos.

Two weeks after coach Damien Hardwick prematurely declared Gold Coast’s season over, he could be right this time.

The Suns have fallen to 7-12 and 14th in the standings, two games out of a wild card spot with just four rounds left.

But Carlton, which started the season 1-8 and had to deal with the departure of coach Michael Voss, jumped to 10th place with a 9-10 record to give them a serious shot at reaching the finals.

The Blues’ midfield team pummeled Gold Coast for most of the day; captain Patrick Cripps, Hewett (three goals, 24 disposals), Jagga Smith (31 touches) and Sam Walsh (31) were immense in deciding the result.

The Suns stars had their moments, but they could never sustain them long enough.

Suns captain Noah Anderson stepped up and became a Goal of the Year contender in the second period when he dodged traffic and slipped two tackles to finish superbly.

But Anderson’s influence in the second half diminished as his opposing captain, Cripps, stepped up to the plate.

Cripps had a colossal 15 clearances in his 30 possessions to complete an important goal in the third quarter.

In his 150th game, Carlton’s veteran defender Nic Newman struck early after injuring his hamstring when attempting to violently kick a loose ball.

AAP