Gold Coast Suns forward Ben King made waves on Sunday with a stunning performance, kicking six goals and leading the team to their biggest-ever victory against the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. The Suns triumphed with a resounding score of 20.16 (136) to 7.7 (49), marking a historical milestone for the club. This 87-point margin shattered their previous record of 86 points set against Hawthorn back in 2017.
From the onset of the match, Gold Coast painted a picture of dominance. They kicked nine unanswered goals from midway through the first quarter to early in the third. The opening minute set the tone—Jarrod Witts received the first free kick, handballed to Noah Anderson, who then delivered it inside 50 to Ethan Read for the initial goal. It was remarkably straightforward and, as it turned out, precognitive of the overwhelming lead to come.
The Suns' mastery was evident across the board, with standout performances from their midfielders. Anderson notched up 36 disposals and garnered nine clearances, assisting his team with three goal assists. Teammates Matt Rowell and Touk Miller were equally impressive, with Rowell recording 30 disposals and 10 clearances, and Miller achieving 26 disposals and also notching 10 clearances. Their collective effort established Gold Coast's stronghold early on.
Despite the loss, the match had its bright spots for West Coast. Notable players like Tim Kelly and Harley Reid were underwhelming, managing just 14 and 12 disposals respectively. This absence of performance from key midfielders left the Eagles needing to assess their tactics as they struggled to make any meaningful impact throughout the game.
Midway through the match, Gold Coast's Charlie Ballard suffered what appears to be significant knee damage after landing awkwardly from a mark. "He'll go for a scan first thing (on Monday)," Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick noted. "I don't know what the prognosis is. I'd just rather wait and we'll get the scan results because we need him. He's such an important player for us. Great locker room guy, glue guy as well. So we've got our fingers crossed." The concern surrounding Ballard's injury casts a shadow on what otherwise was a jubilant win for the Suns.
King's performance was significant not only due to his goal tally but also his athletic prowess, highlighted by what is already being deemed as Mark of the Year. He executed a breathtaking grab late in the third quarter, leaping over West Coast defender Harry Edwards as he seized the ball, leaving the crowd of 46,532 spectators on their feet. Alongside King, Ben Long, Jake Rogers, and Ethan Read also contributed to the scoreline, kicking four, three, and two goals respectively.
Gold Coast's continual pressure wore down the Eagles, demonstrating their prowess at contested possessions— 145 to 102, inside 50s—67 to 34, and clearances—50 to 33. This kind of dominance indicated where the fault lines lay for West Coast, presenting new coach Andrew McQualter with sobering insights to ponder following his debut matchup.
McQualter expressed his disappointment following the match, saying, "Gold Coast were really sharp, but we're bitterly disappointed. We expected more. Unfortunately, we didn't get it right. When you go minus 40 in the contest, you're just not going to be able to compete." This acknowledgment of the team’s struggles to find their footing underlines the challenges he faces after assuming leadership responsibilities.
Next up, the Eagles prepare to face Brisbane, hoping to rebound from this heavy loss. McQualter highlighted the urgent need for improvement, particularly toward creating more midfield presence. He mentioned Jake Waterman’s observed calf injury as yet another complication, reflecting the team's taxing day as they struggled to maintain any momentum throughout.
The results from this match also mark Gold Coast's departure from their extended road losing streak, targeting their first finals appearance as the 2025 season progresses. Their tactical acumen and resilience against West Coast set the stage for what they hope is sustained growth throughout the season.
Although Sunday's display encapsulated the essence of team sport at its finest, the repercussions of Ballard’s injury coupled with the defeat for West Coast adds to the rich narrative of competition, filled with both victories and setbacks.