Alex Sexton came of age, Nathan Bock made a surprise return to AFL and West Coast survived a major scare from the game’s budding expansion team.
It were a headline of sorts when Gold Coast made the trip west last season, with a 30-year-old Bock making his comeback after more than a year on the sidelines recovering from a horrific broken leg.
The vice-captain was initially listed as an emergency for the round 19 contest, but received a late call-up when Andrew Boston was ruled out.
In his three quarters of action, Bock reminded the football fraternity why he was snared as the club’s first uncontracted AFL signing, turning in a promising performance in the SUNS’ forward line.
He finished with a polished ten disposals, five marks (three coming inside-50) and two goals.
"I was blowing on a few occasions but it was good to be out there," Bock said at the time.
Gold Coast pushed the Eagles hard for four quarters, looking set to deliver the upset of the season with an unlikely first win at Patersons Stadium.
Trailing by 22-points at three-quarter time, the SUNS twice came within two points in a thrilling final term, largely on the back of some forward brilliance from Alex Sexton and Aaron Hall.
But costly turnovers cruelled the side’s chances of victory, with Eagles star ruckman Dean Cox rising to the challenge.
Eventual Brownlow medal winner, Gary Ablett collected 27 touches and finished with two goals, but his influence was limited by Scott Selwood.
Club Champion runner-up Dion Prestia was superb in the midfield battle, finishing with 28 possession while David Swallow, Harley Bennell and Sexton were also influential.
Gold Coast created a series of good chances in the first half, but their lack of polish in front of goal proved costly.
In contrast, West Coast booted 10.1, with Kennedy booting four goals on SUNS defender Rory Thompson before Steven May was moved to the Eagles spearhead midway through the second quarter.
WEST COAST 4.0 10.1 15.6 20.10 (130)
GOLD COAST 3.3 7.7 11.8 17.11 (113)
GOALS
West Coast: Kennedy 5, Hill 3, Schofield 2, Dalziell 2, Cox, Lycett, Cripps, Embley, Hutchings, Hams, Wellingham, Mackenzie
Gold Coast: Sexton 3, Bennell 2, Ablett 2, Bock 2, C. Brown 2, Hall 2, Dixon, Stanley, Swallow, Harbrow
BEST
West Coast: Selwood, Kennedy, Cox, Wellingham, Dalziell, Hill
Gold Coast: Prestia, Bennell, Harbrow, Sexton, Ablett
INJURIES
West Coast: Priddis (quad) replaced in selected side by Mitch Brown, Carter (cut head)
Gold Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Andrew Embley replaced Adam Carter in the third quarter
Gold Coast: Timmy Sumner replaced Nathan Bock in thethird quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Harris, Armstrong
Official crowd: 32,140 at Patersons Stadium
