Carlton denied Gold Coast SUNS a fairytale AFL debut with a 119-point win on Saturday night.

A nine-goal opening-quarter blitz paved the way for a 26.15 (171) to 7.10 (52) Blues victory in front of 27,914 at the Gabba.

The GC SUNS inexperience showed all game as they struggled to win the ball at stoppages or stop the Blues' forwards from piling on the goals.

In contrast, the Carlton midfield moved the ball fluently, dominating possession and running the young GC SUNS ragged.

They hounded the GC SUNS experienced ball-winners, including star midfielder Gary Ablett. The Brownlow medallist was held to just eight disposals at half time and finished with 23.

At the main break Carlton seemed destined to reach 200 points. However the visitors cruised in the third while Gold Coast SUNS showed spunk by kicking three consecutive goals.

But the burst was short lived, with the Blues doubling the hosts' score in the quarter and extending the margin past 100 early in the fourth.

Chris Judd was sublime in his 200th match, kicking two goals and collecting 29 disposals, while Jeff Garlett, Andrew Walker (five goals apiece) and Bret Thornton (four goals) kicked bags for the Blues.

For the GC SUNS, Michael Rischitelli (30) and Daniel Harris (29) were among the leading ball-winners, while Charlie Dixon contributed two goals.

Dixon made history when he stepped around a Carlton player in the first quarter and kicked truly for the GC SUNS first goal.

It was the only major during the opening term for the GC SUNS and the Blues quickly replied, typifying the contest.

Carlton 9.5 15.7 21.10 26.15 (171)

Gold Coast SUNS 1.1 3.5 6.8 7.10 (52)

GOALS
 

Carlton: Garlett 5, Walker 5, Thornton 4, Judd 2, Warnock 2, Betts 2, Waite 2, Curnow, Murphy, Robinson, Simpson

Gold Coast SUNS: Dixon 2, Harris, Bennell, Fraser, Matera, Stanley

BEST
 

Carlton: Judd, Murphy, Yarran, Carrazzo, Gibbs, Thornton

Gold Coast SUNS: Rischitelli, Harris, Matera, Dixon, Bennell

INJURIES
 

Carlton: Nil

Gold Coast SUNS: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
 

Carlton: Shaun Hampson replaced by Dennis Armfield in the fourth quarter.

Gold Coast SUNS: Nathan Krakouer replaced by Josh Toy at the start of third quarter.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McBurney, Nicholls, Kamolins

Official crowd: 27, 914 at the Gabba

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs