FIVE goals to Josh Kennedy and a dominant performance from Dean Cox hauled the West Coast Eagles over the line against an impressive Gold Coast outfit at Patersons Stadium.
The Eagles led for most of the day but the pesky SUNS had them constantly looking over their shoulders before sneaking home for a 17-point win.
Cox was best afield against a depleted Gold Coast ruck division with 44 hit-outs and 19 disposals while Scott Selwood was also impressive with 27 disposals and a decent tagging job on Gary Ablett.
Nathan Bock was a late call-up for the SUNS and celebrated his return with a pair of goals before being subbed in the third quarter.
Dion Prestia was also back for the SUNS and had 28 touches while Ablett and Harley Bennell had 27 each.
More to follow
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
