Gold Coast was ruthless from the outset, dominating West Coast all over the ground before going on to win by 87 points at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
In a disappointing beginning to the Andrew McQualter era, the Eagles were outclassed and outhunted in the 20.16 (136) to 7.7 (49) defeat.
It was Gold Coast's largest win in the club’s 15-year history and the victory was set up by a star-studded engine room.
New skipper Noah Anderson (36 disposals, nine clearances, three goal assists), Matt Rowell (30, 10 clearances, eight tackles) and Touk Miller (26, 10 clearances, two goals) feasted off the ruck work of Jarrod Witts.
West Coast's midfield was badly outplayed and the back seven was constantly under pressure.
The Suns hunted in packs, owning the clearances (50-33) and winning more than their share of contests to camp the ball in the front half of the ground where they were able to either score or turn the ball over and pump it back in.
Ben King kicked a career-best six goals and pulled down a towering third-quarter grab, while Ben Long (four goals) and youngsters Jake Rogers (three) and Read (two) also cashed in on their team’s dominance.
Jake Waterman and Oscar Allen were the only multiple goalkickers for West Coast with two apiece.
Although leading by just 16 points at quarter-time, the engine room is where the Suns laid the foundation for victory.
They extended to 45 at the half and 60 at the final change as West Coast’s damn wall eventually broke.
Daniel Rioli and John Noble showed all the dash and class they were recruited for, with Rioli pocketing two goals in his first game for his new club.
Ex-Richmond recruits Jack Graham and Liam Baker battled well in their first games for the Eagles, while Brady Hough and Reuben Ginbey can hold their heads high
Waterman left the field during the third quarter as a precautionary measure with a calf injury, with co-captain Liam Duggan (ankle) and midfielder Jack Hutchinson (hamstring awareness) also finishing the game on the bench.
West Coast travel to face reigning premier Brisbane at the Gabba in round two next Sunday.
WEST COAST 2.1 2.4 5.5 7.7 (49)
GOLD COAST 4.5 9.7 14.11 20.16 (136)
GOALS
West Coast: Waterman 2, Allen 2, H.Reid, Flynn, Owies
Gold Coast: King 6, Long 4, Rogers 3, Read 2, Miller 2, Rioli 2, Graham
BEST
West Coast: Graham, Baker, Hough, Ginbey
Gold Coast: Anderson, Miller, Rowell, King, Rioli, Humphrey, Witts
INJURIES
West Coast: Waterman (calf), Duggan (ankle), Hutchinson (hamstring awareness)
Gold Coast: Ballard (knee)
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Ryan Maric (replaced Jake Waterman in the third quarter)
Gold Coast: Alex Sexton (replaced Charlie Ballard at half-time)
Crowd: 46,532 at Optus Stadium
