AFLW: West Coast Eagles suffer first defeat of season after brutal Gold Coast Suns performance

Gold Coast overcame striker Jaimee Stanton’s loss to a knee injury to record their maiden AFLW win of the season, beating West Coast by 33 points.

The Suns kept the visitors goalless until the last quarter and held control throughout the triumph from 7.5 (47) to 2.2 (14) Sunday at Metricon Stadium.

But that came at a cost, with Stanton injuring his left knee in the first quarter and ending the game on crutches.

Belinda Smith of the Eagles was also helped off the pitch before the fourth with a rib injury after suffering friendly fire during a tagging match.

Alison Drennan was best off the field with 24 eliminations, seven removals, nine tackles and one goal in a dazzling spectacle for Gold Coast.

Courtney Jones was dangerous up front for the Suns in Stanton’s absence and finished with two goals, while Giselle Davies scored one on her debut.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Claudia Whitfort of the Suns directs the ball during the AFLW Round 2 match between the Gold Coast Suns and the West Coast Eagles at Metricon Stadium on September 04, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia.  (Photo by Chris Hyde / Getty Images)
Camera iconThe west coast was left chasing queues all day. Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Ashlee Atkins, Elizabeth Keaney and Tara Bohanna also scored as Claudia Whitfort (21 eliminations) and Charlie Rowbottom (19) found plenty of ball.

A quick behind gave the West Coast an early lead, but they didn’t score again until the third term.

The Suns were 11 points ahead on the first break after Jones’s big lead and Keaney’s breakaway goal right on the quarterfinal siren.

The home team increased the margin at the end of each quarter with a complete win.

Kate Bartlett used a fortuitous rebound to kick the Eagles’ first goal midway through last season and Aisling McCarthy added the second.

Dana Hooker and Emma Swanson (17 assignments each) have worked hard for the West Coast.

The Suns take on Queensland rivals Brisbane at the Gabba in round three, while the west coast is home to Essendon at Mineral Resources Park.

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