While it wasn't too hot on the Gold Coast, it was much warmer than Frankston at this time of year and this seemed to play a part in the last-quarter fade out.

The reality was the Dolphins did not capitalise when they controlled the play in the first half and did not convert easy opportunities in the second half as the going got tough.

Behind the run of Michael Hibberd, Matthew Clark and Matthew Davis out of defence, and the clever midfield play of Tommy Simpson, Mitch Bosward and Shane Hockey, the Dolphins controlled possession, inside fifties, clearances and tackles over the first two quarters.

But simple skill errors and poor decision-making left them with just a six-point lead at the main break.

The third quarter was a torrid affair as both teams piled numbers into the corridor. But where the Gold Coast made the most of their opportunities, Dolphins forwards Luke Clark and Alex Lee undid their strong aerial work with inexcusably poor conversion. Trailing by 16 points at three-quarter time, all hopes of a resurgence where snuffed out by some questionable umpiring in front of the home team's goal. But this ultimately had little impact on the final result, as the Gold Coast dominated the term with 24 inside fifties to six.

Hibberd continued his strong season, while Simpson, Matthew Clark, Hockey and fullback Marc Westcott also performed well. Ruckman Russell Gabriel worked tirelessly as always but was eventually overpowered by giant Gold Coast ruckman Zach Smith.

Full forward Luke Clark clearly outpointed Karmichael Hunt but his output of 2.3 did not make the Gold Coast pay.

The Dolphins play the Bombers at Windy Hill this Sunday before returning to Frankston Park on July 11 for a local derby against the Casey Scorpions.