A bold last-quarter rush at victory by the West Coast Eagles was thwarted by Gold Coast as the Suns rallied late to win 17.10 (112) to 12.3 (75) at People First Stadium today.
Down by 34 points at three-quarter time the Eagles made a surge for victory and edged within three goals with five minutes remaining, but the Suns responded with two late goals to Jed Walter and another to Ben King to secure the points.
The Suns eventually won the quarter as well as the match, stretching the margin to 37 points.
The Suns controlled the game for most of the day, especially around stoppages as their young midfield made a statement winning the clearances 48-32 and centre clearances 19-7. So often they burst out of the middle and set up gilt-edged scoring opportunities.
It looked like it might have been a better day for the visitors when the Eagles exploded out of the blocks kicking two goals in the first two minutes and three in the opening five minutes of the match.
Elliot Yeo had a key hand in the flying start, the first coming from a centre clearance and lace out pass to Ryan Maric and then he snapped cleverly out of traffic to kick the second himself.
Gold Coast responded and started to have a stronger say around stoppages with Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson enjoying good service from ruckman Jarrad Witts.
They kicked two goals to close the gap to just four points at the first change and then kicked the opening major of the second term to take the lead.
From there it was a see-sawing affair with first one team and the other gaining the ascendancy.
Yeo continued his good form, Tim Kelly started to get his hands on the ball and Jake Waterman who kicked three first-half goals provided a target up forward.
Down back Jeremy McGovern was supreme along with Liam Duggan and Brady Hough.
The Eagles hit the front when Jamie Cripps kicked his first goal of the match in the opening minute of the third quarter, but from there it was one-way traffic as Gold Coast rattled on six consecutive goals.
The Suns were dominating around the contest and consistently pumped the ball forward. They then set up behind the ball and defended field position brilliantly as the Eagles struggled to navigate a way out of their back half.
Down by 34 points at three-quarter time it was always going to be tough from there, especially as the inside 50 count at the last change was 25-50. It ended 67-35 in the Suns favour, so the Eagles defence did will to keep them in the game for so long.
MATCH DETAILS
Gold Coast Suns 2.3 7.5 13.7 17.10 (112)
West Coast Eagles 3.1 7.2 8.3 12.3 (75)
Goals
Gold Coast Suns: King 3; Walter, Ainsworth, Anderson, Rowell 2; Humphrey, Day, Graham, Rogers, Witts, Fiorini.
West Coast Eagles: Waterman 4; Cripps, Darling 2; Petruccelle, Yeo, Maric, Ryan.
Best
Gold Coast Suns: Witts, Anderson, Rowell, Flanders, Miller, Fiorini.
West Coast Eagles: Waterman, McGovern, Yeo, Duggan, Hough, Kelly.
