By Roger Vaughan
Gold Coast co-captain Jarrod Witts put on a rucking clinic as the Suns overpowered West Coast in the third term for a 37-point AFL win.
After a tight first half, the Suns piled on six goals to one in the third quarter and won 17.10 (112) to 12.3 (75).
Gold Coast’s Jarrod Witts shows his delight after scoring a goal against the Eagles. Credit: AAP
The Suns are 4-3, with all their wins at home.
Witts dominated young Eagles ruckman Bailey Williams, racking up 47 hitouts and 10 clearances as Suns midfielders Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell in particular fed off his work.
When Eagles revelation Jake Waterman kicked his fourth goal five minutes into the last quarter, they had cut the lead to 22 points and remained in the hunt.
Liam Ryan, playing his first AFL match since round three last season, reduced the margin to a gettable 18 points with five minutes left.
But the Suns replied immediately through Jed Walter to confirm the win, with both sides kicking four goals in the final term.
While veterans Elliott Yeo and Jeremy McGovern impressed, West Coast were clearly at a disadvantage without in-form young gun Harley Reid, who was managed for the AFL’s longest road trip.
In his second game, Suns youngster Jake Rogers stood out with 22 possessions, a goal and four score assists.
West Coast bounced the home side, with Yeo setting up the opening goal from the first bounce.
Yeo kicked a goal himself and Waterman brought up his first, for three goals in five minutes.
Witts then stopped the rot, winning a free kick from a ruck contest and putting the Suns on the board.
While Gold Coast only managed one mark inside 50, they kicked another goal and trailed by only four points at the first break.
The lead changed hands seven times in the second term and when Jamie Cripps kicked his first goal a minute after the long break, the Eagles were in front again.
But that was all for the Eagles as the Suns took control and dominated the rest of the quarter for a game-winning lead at the last change.
-AAP
