A Rebooted Matt Rowell has driven Gold Coast to its first season-opening win in four seasons, digging deep late to overcome a patched together West Coast by 27 points at Optus Stadium on Sunday night.
Trailing by six points at the final change, the Suns booted seven of the last eight goals to overcome the decimated Eagles, skipping away late to seal the result 16.11 (107) to 12.8 (80).
It was the Suns' first win against West Coast in Perth in 10 attempts, displaying grit on the road after the match appeared to be slipping out of their grasp in the second quarter.
They turned the tide through brilliant midfielders Rowell and Touk Miller, and eventually broke the Eagles late in the final term after a brave rally from Adam Simpson's team, with the margin not reflective of a tight tussle.
Rowell was back to his best, controlling the stoppages with a game-high 10 clearances and winning a career-high 22 of his 33 touches in the contest.
With co-captain Miller (29 and eight clearances) also launching the season in fine touch, the Suns were able to dominate contested ball as the game wore on, winning the critical indicator 155-122.
Their ability to outrun and outcompete the Eagles in the final term gave them a 17-8 advantage in forward entries, ensuring they had opportunities to respond when West Coast champion Josh Kennedy cut the margin to four points with 10 minutes to play.
Midfielder Brayden Fiorini (24 and nine inside 50s) was important, while defender Charlie Ballard marshalled the backline magnificently.
Of their best 22, West Coast was missing five midfielders, four forwards and three defenders, but the team looked like conjuring a memorable win through the middle stages.
Jamaine Jones (21 and two goals) played the best game of his career as a creative and quick midfielder/forward, while Jack Redden and Andrew Gaff tried hard at the coalface but were ultimately outpointed.
Willie Rioli had some big moments in his first game since the 2019 qualifying final, booting a long-range goal and winning six clearances from 12 disposals.
He left the ground in a heavy collision with Rowell in the third quarter that was deemed legal by the umpire, keeping himself in the play to then set up a goal as the teams traded blows before the Suns final flourish.
New leader relishes role
Touk Miller has taken on the co-captaincy this season at Gold Coast, and in the third quarter he did what is expected of a leader. Paid the free kick just outside 50m, and having watched Rioli steal the lead back for West Coast moments earlier, Miller took on the responsibility and kicked a captain's goal. Sharing leadership duties with ruckman Jarrod Witts, Miller was superb in the midfield and showed an extra burst of speed at stoppages as he racked up 29 disposals and eight clearances. Sidekick Witts matched his 'captain's goal', slotting an important major in the final term.
WEST COAST 5.1 7.3 10.5 16.11 (107)
GOLD COAST 2.2 5.6 8.11 12.8 (80)
GOALS
West Coast: Petruccelle 2, Kennedy 2, Jones 2, Langdon, Waterman, Barrass, O'Neill, Rioli, Dixon,
Gold Coast: Rankine 4, Casboult 2, Ainsworth 2, Chol 2, Sharp, Miller, Witts, Holman, Lukosius, Davies
BEST
West Coast: Redden, Jones, Hurn, Gaff, Barrass, McGovern
Gold Coast: Miller, Rowell, Ballard, Rankine, Witts, Fiorini
INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Isiah Winder (unused)
Gold Coast: Alex Sexton (unused)
Crowd: 20,932 at Optus Stadium
