CODY Weightman has booted six goals to steer the Western Bulldogs to a 48-point triumph over Gold Coast for their first win of the season.
The Bulldogs withstood multiple charges from the Suns to condemn them to their first defeat under Damien Hardwick.
Noah Anderson (24 touches) and Touk Miller (30) were busy for the Suns while Sam Collins marshalled their defence and Ben King booted two goals.
Suns young gun Bailey Humphrey was a late withdrawal with a shoulder injury suffered in training and is awaiting scans to determine the timeline on his return.
Gold Coast was already without co-captain Jarrod Witts (groin).
Gold Coast reduced the deficit to 28 points at half-time, with Weightman's crumbed fifth goal the Bulldogs' only major for the second term.
In a see-sawing third quarter, the Bulldogs booted four goals in a row to stretch their lead to 46 points.
But Gold Coast booted the final three of the term, with two via Nick Holman, to cut the three-quarter time margin to 28 and remain in touching distance.
But early in the fourth, Weightman snapped his sixth to steady the Bulldogs before Bontempelli kicked the sealer.
The Bulldogs (1-1) return to Marvel Stadium to host battling West Coast next Sunday while Gold Coast (2-1) has the bye.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 9.1 10.3 14.4 18.7 (115)
GOLD COAST 2.2 5.5 9.6 10.7 (67)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Weightman 6, Baker 3, Naughton 2, Darcy 2, Bontempelli 2, Liberatore, Khamis, Ugle-Hagan
Gold Coast: King 2, Holman 2, Swallow, Moyle, Lukosius, Flanders, Berry, Ainsworth
