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 50th 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
