St Kilda has marched to a comfortable 53-point win over Gold Coast, moving clear on top of the ladder for the first time since 2009.
Jack Higgins kicked five goals as Mitch Owens and Jack Sinclair starred in the Saints' 17.11 (113) to 8.12 (60) victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
It was their fourth straight win to start the season, leaving Ross Lyon's new-look outfit as the last side with a perfect record.
Second-year forward Owens (27 disposals, two goals) and All-Australian half-back Sinclair (31 disposals) were outstanding in the Saints' latest triumph, set up with a five-goal burst during the second term.
Seb Ross (30 disposals, five clearances, one goal), Brad Hill (22 touches, two goals) and Brad Crouch (34 disposals, six clearances) helped blow Gold Coast away after quarter-time.
Touk Miller (32 disposals, 10 clearances), Noah Anderson (37 disposals, 10 tackles, seven clearances) and Lachie Weller (30 touches) were among the SUNS' best.
Gold Coast lost co-captain Jarrod Witts (soreness) before the opening bounce, leaving debutant Ned Moyle to battle in the ruck against Rowan Marshall.
They started well but failed to capitalise on early territorial dominance as the lead changed hands four times during the first quarter.
Higgins provided the Saints' spark in attack with three goals in the second term as they skipped 22 points clear by half-time.
It was party time in the third quarter as Hill and Owens kicked goals for the highlights reel and the margin ballooned to 47 points.
St Kilda was never seriously tested after the main break, marking its best start to a season since a 4-0 opening in 2010.
ST KILDA 3.2 8.6 13.10 17.11 (113)
GOLD COAST 3.4 4.8 5.11 8.12 (60)
GOALS
St Kilda: Higgins 5, Hill 2, Caminiti 2, Owens 2, Windhager, Sinclair, Ross, Phillipou, Cordy, Butler
Gold Coast: Rosas, King, Jeffrey, Casboult, Anderson, Ainsworth, Sexton, Holman
BEST
St Kilda: Owens, Hill, Higgins, Marshall, Wilkie, Crouch, Wanganeen-Milera,
Gold Coast: Anderson, Miller, Powell, Collins, Ainsworth
INJURIES
St Kilda: Bytel (leg)
Gold Coast: TBC
LATE CHANGES
Gold Coast: Jarrod Witts replaced in selected side by Ned Moyle
SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Jack Bytel (replaced Rowan Marshall in the fourth quarter)
Gold Coast: Alex Sexton (replaced Joel Jeffrey in the fourth quarter)
