Gold Coast Suns achieved a monumental victory over West Coast Eagles on March 16, 2025, at Optus Stadium, winning by 87 points, marking the largest win in the club's 15-year history. They triumphed with a score of 20.16 (136) to 7.7 (49), underscoring their dominance throughout the match.
The match commenced with remarkable intensity. Gold Coast's early game plan put them miles ahead of West Coast. A simple yet effective play—starting with Jarrod Witts receiving the first free kick, followed by quick handballing to Noah Anderson, culminating with Ethan Read scoring after outmaneuvering Jeremy McGovern—set the tone. According to The Herald Sun, "Gold Coast was ruthless from the outset, dominating West Coast all over the ground." This phrase encapsulated the match's essence.
Gold Coast's midfield was instrumental to their success, with Anderson notching 36 disposals, nine clearances, and three goal assists. Also, Matt Rowell shone with 30 disposals, ten clearances, and eight tackles, alongside Touk Miller, who contributed 26 disposals, ten clearances, and two goals.
Despite leading by merely 16 points at quarter-time, Gold Coast laid the framework for dominance with their aggressive style. Their midfield battles proved decisive, leading to 50 clearances compared to West Coast's 33. Five unanswered goals surged them to 45 points by half-time, burying any hopes for the Eagles.
By the third quarter, Gold Coast expanded their lead to 60 points, driven by the relentless pressure they exerted on West Coast. The high-performance standards set by their midfielders resulted not only in high possession counts but also reflected on the scoreboard. Ben King, who starred with six goals—including one play where he soared above his opponent for what might become the Mark of the Year—set the tone for the Suns' forward line. Bailey Humphrey's contribution included five goal assists, showcasing the cohesive team effort.
West Coast's struggles were palpable, particularly under the scrutiny of new head coach Andrew McQualter. The Eagles’ midfield was often outmaneuvered, which compounded pressure on their defensive unit. Lessons from this game will surely be drawn upon as they prepare for unyielding matches ahead.
Jacob Waterman's departure from the field due to calf issues and Charlie Ballard's knee injury were additional setbacks for West Coast, complicting their strategy. Players like Jack Graham and Liam Baker fought valiantly, but the overall performance fell short of competitive standards.
To summarize the first round of the 2025 season: Gold Coast's relentless pursuit of goals not only secured their emphatic win but also set expectations for the future. With confidence stemming from this win, the Suns will be eager to maintain this momentum as they face their next opponents.
The upcoming challenges await West Coast as they must regroup and reanalyze their strategies. A confrontational match against the reigning premier, Brisbane, lies on the horizon, making their next performance all the more significant.
Overall, the match's attendance was noteworthy, with 46,532 fans creating an electric atmosphere, indicative of Australian rules football's enduring popularity. Gold Coast Suns emerged not just with the victory but with building pride and ambition heading forward.
The scoreboard read: West Coast 2.1, 2.4, 5.5, 7.7 (49); Gold Coast 4.5, 9.7, 14.11, 20.16 (136).