In a red letter day for Gold Coast, the SUNS not only thumped St Kilda to snap a 10-game losing streak, but also oversaw the successful return of star midfielder Jaeger O'Meara in the reserves.
The senior team ensured it was a day to remember in a tough season for Rodney Eade's men with a convincing 15.18 (108) to 8.20 (68) victory.
With quality players returning from injury by the week, the SUNS jumped from the blocks and were never troubled.
From the moment Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt fired off an errant handpass in his own goalsquare that ended in Touk Miller's opening goal of the match, the Saints were on the back foot.
Only a hamstring injury to Matt Rosa – his second for the season – put a dampener on the SUNS' day.
Michael Rischitelli (32 disposals), Aaron Hall (27 and two goals) and Dion Prestia (26 and two goals) were prolific in the midfield, while Nick Malceski (30) played his best game for the club.
Peter Wright kicked three goals, while Tom Lynch was again a handful in the forward line, finishing with 20 disposals and 14 marks, but poor kicking stopped him from having a monster day (1.4 and one out on the full).
Coming off a huge upset over Geelong last week, the Saints were flat.
Young forward Paddy McCartin received his third concussion for the season in the opening term and did not return.
Riewoldt was brave like usual with his 21 disposals, but his errant kicking (0.5) summed up the Saints' dirty day.
Gold Coast looked a different team with the return of Jack Martin (back), Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) and Callum Ah Chee (calf) from injury.
All three had a significant impact, with Martin composed in defence.
Gold Coast dominated possession and moved the ball more crisply than they have in a long time.
GOLD COAST 5.5 9.12 13.15 15.18 (108)
ST KILDA 3.1 4.5 5.13 8. 20 (68)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Wright 3, Hall 2, Prestia 2, Matera 2,Ablett, Ah Chee, Davis, Lynch, Malceski, Miller
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Newnes 2, Gresham, Lonie, Weller, Bruce
BEST
Gold Coast: Rischitelli, Wright, Lynch, Harbrow, Martin, May, Malceski, Thompson
St Kilda: Montagna, Riewoldt, Steven
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Rosa (hamstring)
St Kilda: McCartin (concussion)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bannister, Stephen, Ryan
Official crowd: 14, 071 at Metricon Stadium
