After a tight first half, the Adelaide Crows split the game wide open in the third quarter, kicking seven goals to three – including two supergoals – to open up a match-winning cushion.
The SUNS breathed life into the contest with the first three goals of the last term, but Adelaide steadied in the greasy conditions to end up the 3.12.10 (109) to 0.11.18 (84) winners.
All Australian Eddie Betts was kept goalless by a fiesty Adam Saad, with one memorable tackle in the goalsquare preventing a certain goal.
While Gold Coast competed hard, winning the contested possession count 152-140, the SUNS were beaten once the ball left congestion.
The half-back line repelled Gold Coast attacks and launched attacking raid after attacking raid.
In the end Adelaide used the ball better and found space at will, winning the disposal count 429-346.
Both teams fielded strong outfits, but the SUNS missed their first choice midfield, with Gary Ablett, Dion Prestia, David Swallow, Jaeger O'Meara and Jesse Lonergan all watching from the grandstands.
The SUNS couldn't quite foot it with Adelaide's run and that was the difference in the end.
"I think they handled the conditions a bit better than we did," Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said post-match.
"It was really slippery and I don't think people appreciate that when it's so humid, it was like a cake of soap.
"It was a good hit-out against a quality side. I was pleased with it.
"We won contested ball, won clearances, we just didn't use the ball as well as they did, they were a bit more polished than we were."
Gold Coast wasted chances early and were made to pay, with Peter Wright a first quarter culprit and usually reliable Tom Lynch also hesitating and being run down from behind by Jake Lever when an open goal beckoned.
Aaron Hall stood up in the depleted midfield, finishing with 30 disposals and two goals.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Rodney Eade still has some selection headaches ahead of round one. For the third straight pre-season match, Peter Wright looked more dangerous in the air – and may have his nose in front to stand beside Tom Lynch in round one- while Sam Day had more of a defensive presence
NEW FACES
Matt Rosa impressed for the second time this pre-season, racking up 22 disposals from a wing. The former Eagle was composed and an even contributor across four quarters. First round draft pick Callum Ah Chee made a strong claim to be included in the opening round, snapping cleverly in the second quarter to break a SUNS goal drought and finish with nine disposals. Rookies Ryan Davis and Tom Keough were playing for a senior elevation and both pressed their claims. Davis was busy but couldn't make the most of his opportunities, kicking just one goal from four good chances, while Keough was courageous and polished in the backline.
NEXT UP
Gold Coast starts its 2016 campaign against Essendon on March 26 at Metricon Stadium.
GOLD COAST 0.1.6 0.4.12 0.7.14 0.11.18 (84)
ADELAIDE 0.3.2 1.4.5 3.9.8 3.12.10 (109)
NAB SUPERGOALS
Gold Coast: -
Adelaide: Jenkins, Lyons, Walker
GOALS
Gold Coast: Hall 2, Ah Chee, Rischitelli, Miller, McKenzie, Martin, Lynch, Keough, Harbrow, Davis
Adelaide: Milera 2, Walker 2, McGovern 2, Gore, Jenkins, Ellis-Yolmen, Seedsman, Lyons, Douglas
BEST
Gold Coast: Hall, Miller, Saad, May, Rischitelli, Rosa
Adelaide: Crouch, Thompson, Jacobs, Talia, Smith, Seedsman
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Kolodjashnij (calf) omitted from original squad
Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McInerney, Hay, Hosking
Official crowd: 4460 at Metricon Stadium
