The Gold Coast Suns have defeated the Richmond Tigers by 11 points in their first match at Metricon Stadium

A TANTALISING Gold Coast Suns have become the first 2020 AFLW expansion side to secure a win in year four of the league after defeating fellow newcomers Richmond by 11 points.

A TANTALISING Gold Coast Suns have become the first 2020 AFLW expansion side to secure a win in year four of the league after defeating fellow newcomers Richmond by 11 points.

One week after taking it right up to fourth year side the GWS Giants, the Suns decisively beat the Tigers for three quarter before surviving a late scare to run out 33-22 winners.

Neither side could be split in a tightly contested first quarter as both expansion clubs visibly carried frustration from losses last week into the first 15 minutes.

Jamie Stanton struck first for the Suns in her 25th AFLW game after a punishing run inside forward 50.

Paige Parker marked on the edge of the square and had the vision to spot her teammate charging into space, kicking to grass which allowed Stanton to run onto the kick and dribble it through the goals.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Jamie Stanton of the Suns celebrates a goal during the round 2 AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on February 15, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Former Collingwood sharp shooter Christina Bernardi levelled the playing field shortly after, swooping on a loose ball that managed to clear both Suns defenders and roll towards the goal square.

Just six years after acting as a getaway driver in a bank robbery, Richmond livewire Tayla Stahl wrote the final chapter in footballs ultimate redemption story when she kicked the Tigers second and the first of here AFLW career.

Stahl very nearly had a second within five minutes of play but was denied a goal by a stray Suns hand on the goal line.

The Suns precision kicking game plan and structure behind the ball finally reaped reward in the dying stages of the first quarter when forward Kate Surman showed great intent to chase down her opponent and earn a holding the ball free kick.

Richmond failed to return the ball, earning Surman a 50 metre penalty which she squeezed through the sticks a stroke after the quarter time siren.

The conversion levelled the score at 14-14 as Surman hobbled to the bench and confirmed her gut running with a brief sideline spew.

In front of a 7071 home crowd at Metricon Stadium, it was the Suns who shone early in the second.

Inaugural Suns AFLW goal scorer Britany Perry established her position as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards, perfectly reading an inbound kick from Kate Surman.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Brittany Perry of the Suns marks during the round 2 AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on February 15, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

With outstretched arms, Perry marked the ball and turned her opponent to charge towards an open goal and kick the Suns third.

With a goal and a goal assist to her name, Surman’s work rate soon found herself at the end of a precision kick from defender Jade Pregelj inside the attacking arc.

From 40m out on a slight angle, she kicked truly to give her side a 12 point buffer.

In her milestone match, Jamie Stanton demonstrated the courage the league has come to expect of her late in the first half when she ran back with the flight of the ball, ribs exposed, and collided heavily with a Tiger.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 15: Jamie Stanton of the Suns leaves the field injured during the round 2 AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on February 15, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Her courage was to no avail as the umpire had picked out a holding free kick moments earlier, gifting Stahl another shot at goal which she tugged.

With the Suns leading 27-16 at the start of the third quarter, Stanton bravely returned to the field of play as heavy legs saw the sting of the first half recede from the contest.

Both sides struggled to generate any deep inside 50’s until a second year midfielder Jacqui Yorston, sporting trademark long sleeves, pounced on a loose ball late in the quarter and floated the Suns fifth through.

Leading by 17 points, the Suns appeared to put the cue in the rack late as Richmond did all the attacking but without much reward.

Bernardi was nearly the most dangerous player on the ground, marking ball after ball but failing to convert.

A late run down tackle by Tiarna Ernst sealed the game as the siren sounded and crowned the Suns 33-22 winners.