The Gold Coast SUNS have secured its first win of the 2024 VFL season in style, defeating Box Hill by 43 points at People First Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Five goals from Ben Long and 37 touches from Rory Atkins were among the highlights in a strong victory for the SUNS, built on the back of an eight-goal-to-none opening half.

Nick Francis and Levi Casboult got the scoreboard rolling with two goals in as many minutes to open the game, and the SUNS never looked back from there.

Casboult would kick the game’s final goal to finish with three majors while Francis, Will Rowlands, Ned Moyle, Joel Jeffrey and Sam Day all kicked a goal apiece.

Alex Sexton had 23 touches to half-time before Rory Atkins took charge off half-back in the second half. James Tsitas was among the major ball winners (27 disposals) as were SUNS Academy talents Harry Sullivan (25 touches) and Zach O’Brien (23 touches).

It wasn’t until partway through the third term that the Hawks kicked their first major before the second half provided a more even contest.

Connor Budarick and Sean Lemmens were strong in defence throughout while Moyle won the battle of the Neds in the middle, finishing with 37 hitouts to go with his first-half goal.

2023 draftee Jake Rogers was a live wire in the forward half, finishing with 20 disposals and five clearances.

The SUNS next head to the SCG next Sunday morning to face the 1-1 Swans.