The Gold Coast Suns held off West Coast to win by 33 points at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.
Gold Coast came out hot early, scoring three goals in the first half to cement a strong lead, which forced the Eagles to chase from behind in the 7.5 (47) to 2.2 (14) defeat.
West Coast's first goal didn’t come until the fourth quarter through Kate Bartlett, followed quickly by another from Aisling McCarthy.
The Eagles also copped an early blow with the loss of Belinda Smith in the first term, with the defender leaving the field with an injury to her mid-section, resulting in her not returning for the rest of the game.
The Eagles’ leaders Emma Swanson (17 disposals, 10 tackles), Aisling McCarthy (12 disposals, one goal) and Dana Hooker (17, eight tackles) were busy throughout.
Hard-working midfielder Isabella Lewis (15 disposals) and emerging defender Charlie Thomas (13) were two bright sparks for the Eagles in a tough encounter.
Gold Coast’s Charlie Rowbottom (19 disposals) arguably had a best on ground appearance while Alison Drennan (24, one goal) was also prominent.
First year Eagles forward Ella Roberts (nine disposals, four marks) had another impressive performance in her second game of AFLW, coping with the pressure well and getting her side out of a number of sticky situations.
The Eagles will now return home to Mineral Resources Park to face expansion team Essendon next Sunday at 4.10pm.
Gold Coast: 2.0 3.1 5.3 7.5 (47)
West Coast: 0.1 0.1 0.2 2.2 (14)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Jones 2, Atkins, Davis, Drennan, Bohanna, Keaney
West Coast: Bartlett, McCarthy
BEST
Gold Coast: Drennan, Whitfort, Darcy, Rowbottom, Jones, Bella, Dupuy
West Coast: Hooker, Swanson, McCarthy, Lewis, Roberts, Thomas
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Stanton (Knee)
West Coast: Smith (Mid-Section)
