Gold Coast SUNS vice-captain Sam Collins says he’s proud of the team’s response after being challenged early by an unbeaten Carlton outfit.

The Blues kicked the first two goals of the game in the opening minutes, but Collins and his defensive group steadied the ship to help steer the SUNS to an impressive 30-point win at Metricon Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

“We take great belief out of that game,” Collins said in the Knotwood post-match interview.

“Carlton came out firing and kicked two really early ones but the maturity of our group to come out and edge it back (was impressive).

“We backed our systems and everyone played an important role tonight. Our footy stacks up and it’s just great to get that belief.”

It was an important result for the SUNS after a match Senior Coach Stuart Dew labelled as “disappointing” against GWS the week prior.

Collins said the players were challenged to respond during the week, and they were able to deliver on that with an all-round team performance.

“This week we’ve come out on the front foot and just kept peppering them, waiting for the gap to open up,” Collins said.

“I thought our offense took a step forward, it’s not always perfect and we left a few goals out there but we just attacked them with the football and were able to set up strongly behind it and make it a really hard game for them.

“I think as a backline group we’ve got really great connection and that’s what makes us such a tough back six to play against and we just need to keep building on that.”

It marks the first victory for the SUNS at Metricon Stadium since Round 6, 2021, and Collins said it was always special to win in front of members and fans at their home ground.

“It’s great for us to see all of them here,” Collins said.

“We love their support and hearing them get around us and push us to get the win.

“We love passionate supporters and it’s great to see fans out at Metricon cheering their hardest.”

The SUNS face fourth-placed St Kilda at Marvel Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Round 5.