Where and when: Heritage Bank Stadium, Saturday, September 9, 11:05am (9.05am WST)

TV: Live on 7Mate, Fox Footy, Kayo and the AFL Live Official app.

Last time we met: West Coast 2.2 (14) def. by Gold Coast 7.5 (47) at Heritage Bank Stadium, round two, 2022.

Gold Coast started hot against the Eagles, kicking three first-half goals and cementing a strong lead for the entirety of the game. West Coast’s first goal came in the final term off the boot of Kate Bartlett, followed quickly by another major from Aisling McCarthy, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap, Gold Coast finishing with a 33-point win on their home turf. Eagles leaders Emma Swanson (17 disposals, 10 tackles), McCarthy (12 disposals, one goal) and Dana Hooker (17 disposals, eight tackles) were busy throughout the contest, while youngsters Bella Lewis (15 disposals) and Charlie Thomas (13) worked hard on a tough day out for West Coast.

What it means for the Eagles: Despite falling to Fremantle by just eight points in the round one RAC Derby, the Eagles took a lot of positives out of the game. They will be looking to replicate their intensity and pressure around the ground this weekend against the Suns and  get their first win of 2023 on the road.

The stat: The Eagles have played the Suns four times, with Gold Coast holding a 3-1 head-to-head advantage.

Oppo in focus: In a strong game against Carlton last week, Charlie Rowbottom dominated the final term and finished with a game-high 20 contested possessions, 12 tackles, nine clearances and a goal in a stand-out performance.  The former number one pick is a powerful midfielder who can cause damage inside 50. The Eagles will be looking to keep Rowbottom quiet and limit her involvement around the ball.

It’s a big week for: Dana Hooker

Experienced Eagles leader Dana Hooker will play her 50^th AFLW game this weekend. After eight seasons in the league, Hooker has had a substantial impact on a young and developing West Coast side and will want to continue to lead by example in her milestone game.

Big call: After making her league debut last weekend against Fremantle, teenage forward-ruck Lauren Wakfer will kick her first AFLW goal on Saturday against the Suns.

The West Coast Eagles were outclassed and outworked by the red-hot Gold Coast Suns in a 73-point defeat at Heritage Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Gold Coast was forceful from the opening bounce, dominating around clearances, contest, inside 50s and on the scoreboard, with the Eagles unable to find a response in the 15.9 (99) to 4.2 (26) round two loss.

Jamie Stanton was unstoppable up forward for the Suns, kicking three first-quarter goals in her 50^th AFLW game and finishing with six majors.

Gold Coast captain Tara Bohanna also had a day out with four goals, while Jacqueline Dupuy was imposing, picking up 19 disposals and adding three majors.

Young gun Ella Roberts was a standout again for the Eagles, refusing to give up and finishing with 21 touches, while emerging leader Bella Lewis (20 disposals, six tackles) and promising defender Charlie Thomas (14) showed grit. 

Kellie Gibson made the most of limited opportunities to finish with three goals, all scored in the second half, while Aisling McCarthy laid a team-high 10 tackles.

Rebounding defender Belinda Smith kicked her first goal of her AFLW career during the fourth quarter after being swung into attack, before setting up Gibson for her second in the goalsquare as the Eagles got some better ball movement going. 

Star Sun Charlie Rowbottom was outstanding all game and gathered an equal game-high 33 disposals with Claudia Whitford (one goal).

There was injury added to insult for West Coast, with Eleanor Hartill (concussion protocols) and Shanae Davison (shoulder) needing attention.

While the Suns registered their first win for 2023, West Coast will head back to Mineral Resources Park for the first home game of the season against Carlton on Sunday aiming to open their account.

GOLD COAST 4.2 8.5 10.8 12.8 15.9 (99)

WEST COAST 0.0 0.2 1.2 1.2 4.2 (26)

GOALS

Gold Coast: Stanton 6, Bohanna 4; Dupuy 3, Whitfort, Membrey

West Coast: Gibson 2, Smith

BEST

Gold Coast: Whitford, Rowbottom, Stanton, Drennan, Dupuy, Bohanna

West Coast: Lewis, Roberts, Thomas, Smith, Western, McCarthy

INJURIES

Gold Coast: Nil

West Coast: Hartill (concussion), Davison (shoulder)

Crowd: TBC at Heritage Bank Stadium