In new SUNS coach Damien Hardwick's final rehearsal before officially resuming his AFL coaching tenure, the SUNS fell 65 points behind in the third term before rallying late to lose by 44 points.
It wasn't the performance the SUNS would have been hoping for, at one stage conceding 11 unanswered goals as GWS ran rampant.
Gold Coast was warming up for its March 9 season opener against Richmond, where Hardwick will battle his former side.
After the Giants kicked the first two goals of the match, the SUNS hit the front shortly after when silky forward Jack Lukosius slotted three first-quarter goals.
What followed was a 76-3 onslaught during which the Giants took control of the contest and ran rampant during the second quarter and half of the third.
Hardwick's troops did rally late and booted five straight goals in the second half when the Giants rested some of their key cogs.
Round one chance
It was a night to forget for many SUNS players, but Tom Berry certainly put his hand up for an Opening Round call-up after managing just six games last season due to a shoulder injury. The 23-year-old kicked a goal and took a handful of strong marks throughout the full four quarters.
Medical room
Gold Coast went into the game without small forward Malcolm Rosas jnr (quad), while No.3 draft pick Jed Walter (shoulder) is expected to be available in the early rounds and defender Lachie Weller (ACL) will be ready for a return later in the season.
Fantasy watch
The player Fantasy coaches were most keen to see in this fixture was Alex Sexton (FWD, $382,000). It has been flagged many times this pre-season and once again we saw the defensive role and he delivered in spades. Taking kick-ins, linking up in ball movement out of the backline. Sexton top scored with 115 thanks to 31 disposals and 11 marks. He's the cheap forward option we need! Premium midfielders Tom Green (MID, $998,000) and Touk Miller (MID, $868,000) scored Fantasy tons and anyone wanting to go there wouldn't be turned off. Sam Flanders (MID/FWD, $809,000), however, didn't get the score most were after. He'll be a big Opening Round watch ahead of locking our teams in for round one. It looks like Bodhi Uwland (DEF, $219,000) may not make the Suns' 22 despite racking up 32 points in 24 per time on ground late in the game, but Harvey Thomas (MID/FWD, $200,000) may make his debut following his 14 disposals, three marks and six tackles for 66 Fantasy points. - Warnie from The Traders
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 5.2 9.9 13.13 15.15 (105)
GOLD COAST 3.2 3.3 6.5 9.7 (61)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Brown 3, Greene 3, Daniels 2, Riccardi 2, Bedford, Cadman, Green, McMullin, Ward
Gold Coast: Lukosius 4, Anderson, Berry, Holman, Humphrey, Miller
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Green, Himmelberg, Brown, O'Halloran
Gold Coast: Sexton, Miller, Lukosius, Powell, Anderson
INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Daniels (heel soreness)
Gold Coast: Nil
