Gold Coast Suns thrash West Coast Eagles in stunning AFL boilover

The Gold Coast Suns have demolished the West Coast — you read that right — in a stunning boilover to end over a year in the wilderness.

Matthew Rowell is swamped by his teammates.

The Gold Coast Suns have claimed a thumping 14.6 (90) to 6.10 (46) win over the West Coast Eagles, ending a horrific 426-day wait between victories.

The Suns’ last win came against Carlton in round four last year, a game played on April 14, 2019.

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Coronavirus shutdown has made the wait a little longer but it’s a stunning result as the Suns dominated the second half to double Eagles’ score.

Taking a three-point lead into the halftime break, Fox Footy’s Gerard Healy believed the Suns had turned a corner with their effort.

“All we saw there was a true competitive spirit," Healy said. "A willingness to keep giving and giving, not giving up and they have a couple of youngsters leading the way and the old blokes are jumping on board. it's a really exciting first half for the Gold Coast."

The second half had the commentators almost disbelieving of what had happened.

The win snaps a 19-game losing streak and starts West Coast’s Queensland hub stay in the worst way possible.

SCENES! How good was that. pic.twitter.com/ZrRaXDFfTf

— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) June 13, 2020

It’s makes clear that the challenge of the hub is difficult with the Eagles massively struggling at Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium, its home for the near future as the AFL attempts to stay live.

West Coast's most recent games at Metricon

1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss vs Gold Coast, plus they're losing now

1 loss vs North Melbourne in 2008

1 draw vs Brisbane Bears in 1992, a year the Bears finished 2nd-last

No wonder they don't want to be in the hub for long. #AFLSunsEagles

— Max Laughton (@maxlaughton) June 13, 2020

The Eagles now play Brisbane, Port Adelaide and Richmond in their hub games. Lost to all three of them last year. It's very uphill from here and they've been soundly beaten tonight #AFLSunsEagles

— Dean Bilton (@Dean_Bilton) June 13, 2020

West Coast resentment of the hub seemingly contagious #AFLSunsEagles

— Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) June 13, 2020

Gold Coast are obliterating West Coast. Confirmation 2020 is the wildest year on record #AFLSunsEagles

— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) June 13, 2020

Sun draftee Matt Rowell was best on ground in just his second AFL appearance, kicking two goals and picking up 26 disposals as he upstaged West Coast’s vaunted midfield.

The 18-year-old was one of several young Suns to fire with fellow second-gamer Noah Anderson also scoring the first goal of his AFL career.

Lachie Weller was everywhere for the home team, picking up 24 disposals, while co-captain Jarrod Witts handled the challenge against Eagles’ superstar Nic Naitanui well in the ruck.

Even more impressive for Suns’ coach Stuart Dew, the win came without David Swallow (suspended) or star recruit Brandon Ellis (calf).

What a win for the Suns.

Oscar Allen was the only multiple goalkicker for the Eagles with two majors, while Andrew Gaff’s 29 disposals was the highest individual tally of the match.

In the only blemish for the home team on the night, Suns forward Alex Sexton was placed on report for a high shot on Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern in the third quarter.

The Eagles need to recover quickly, with the second match of their Queensland stay being against Brisbane next Saturday.

Gold Coast will look to build on their win when they host Adelaide next Sunday.

— with AAP

Originally published as Gold Coast Suns thrash West Coast Eagles in stunning AFL boilover