The Western Bulldogs have pulled a rabbit out of the hat with a remarkable 21-point victory over Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Thursday night.

The tide turned dramatically after half-time as the Bulldogs stormed to a 4.13.12 (126) to 0.16.9 (105) win.

They kicked nine goals to two in a final-quarter avalanche.

One positive for Gold Coast was Gary Ablett's successful return following shoulder surgery.

Ablett kicked the game's first goal and finished with 22 disposals and two goals in his first game since last July.

Following losses to Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions, the Bulldogs again looked lacklustre during the first half before flicking a switch at the main break.

The SUNS were dominant early following their previous victories over the Lions and Essendon.

They kicked eight successive goals that spanned the first and second terms with a good mix of free-flowing and even tempo football.

"I thought the positives were that far ahead of the negatives," Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said.

"There was a lot to like. I'm really pleased.

"The last quarter was disappointing, we seemed to run out of legs a bit, but when you can do that to the best team in the competition, there's a lot to like."

Co-captain Tom Lynch was a colossus, kicking five first-half goals and adding a sixth to put his team momentarily back in front during the final quarter.

Aaron Hall had 36 disposals, while Michael Barlow (29) was also prolific.

Co-captain Tom Lynch was a colossus, kicking five first-half goals and adding a sixth to put his team momentarily back in front during the final quarter.

Aaron Hall had 36 disposals, while Michael Barlow (29) was also prolific.

WHAT WE LEARNED
The SUNS are going to scare a few sides this season. It's easy to focus on the final 15-minute fade-out – and it should concern the SUNS – but their best stuff was very, very good. The midfield was slick with their hands and had their more highly fancied opponents reeling for much of the night. If David Swallow and Gary Ablett can stay on the field and Pearce Hanley, Touk Miller, Jarryd Lyons, Michael Barlow and Aaron Hall add the support that's expected, Gold Coast should give superstar forward Tom Lynch plenty of chances close to goal.

NEW FACES
Again the SUNS' new midfield brigade shone against their star-studded opponents. Michael Barlow continued his great pre-season with 29 disposals, while Pearce Hanley added 23. Jarryd Lyons was a fraction off the pace in his first game after overcoming an Achilles problem, but did some nice things in his 17 touches, including a great squared pass for a Touk Miller goal. Jarrod Witts towered in the ruck, finishing with 31 hit-outs and 14 disposals, including a great tap to Ablett that led directly to a first-quarter goal. All are round one locks. Draftees Jack Bowes (11 disposals) and Ben Ainsworth (one goal) were quiet but have had excellent pre-seasons.

GOLD COAST 0.6.0 0.11.2 0.14.6 0.16.9 (105)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.1.3 1.3.6 2.6.9 4.13.12 (126)

SUPERGOALS
Gold Coast: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Suckling 3, Stringer

GOALS
Gold Coast: Lynch 6, Wright 2, Ablett 2, Ainsworth, Martin, Sexton, Miller, Swallow, Barlow
Western Bulldogs: Stringer 3, Picken 2, Hunter, Suckling, Crameri, Macrae, Dahlhaus, Liberatore, Jong, Bontempelli

BEST
Gold Coast: Sexton, Lynch, Barlow, Hall, Witts, Ablett
Western Bulldogs: Stringer, Dahlhaus, Jong, Wood, Liberatore, Biggs

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Western Bulldogs: M.Boyd (head)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Nicholls, Mollison, Hay

Official crowd: 3007 at Metricon Stadium