AFL 2016: Gold Coast Suns defeat Essendon by 61 points at Metricon Stadium in Round 1

IT was no pre-season, no problem for Gary Ablett as he made a stellar return to action in Gold Coast’s thumping of Essendon at Metricon Stadium.

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DISAPPOINTED Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade says his side showboated instead of putting Essendon to the sword in the 61-point thumping of the Bombers last night.

The Suns were on pace for their highest-ever score at Metricon Stadium and the biggest winning margin in club history after blowing the patched-up Bombers off the park in the first two quarters to open up a 44-point lead at halftime.

But he accused his side of playing “Twenty20’’ football and ignoring the basics as the outclassed Bombers prevented a complete blowout after the main break.

Eade said four precious premiership points was a positive but he was frustrated that the Suns operated at “75 per cent’’ capacity.

“We got comfortable. That was disappointing… we mucked around with the ball,’’ Eade said.

“Our standards have gone up.

“Expectations internally are high.’’

Suns skipper Gary Ablett made a successful return to the AFL with 34 disposals, 14 contested possessions, nine clearances, seven inside 50 entries, seven tackles and a goal.

Eade assessed the captain’s effort as “rusty’’.

“But he’s a great player. I have no doubt he’ll get better,’’ he said.

The Suns might not be happy with the results from the Match Review Panel either.

Vice-captain Tom Lynch – who kicked four goals in a dominant display - could be in hot water after making high contact with Bomber Mark Baguley in the first quarter.

Baguley appeared to be struck in the side of the head by Lynch’s right arm during a marking contest. Essendon received a 50 metre penalty as the umpires deemed Lynch did not make a genuine attempt to spoil the ball.

One factor working for Lynch ahead of the Gold Coast’s trip west to take on Fremantle in Round 2 is that Baguley played out the match but the incident is certain to come under the microscope of the MRP.

Essendon coach John Worsfold was relatively happy with his team’s effort apart from “really poor disposals’’ that gifted goals to the Suns in the first quarter.

“It was a pretty tough day but I liked some of the signs. There was some good stuff there but plenty to work on,’’ he said.

“The first quarter we just couldn’t get our hands on the footy. The second half, a lot of the numbers evened right up.’’

Gold Coast defender Adam Saad (cramp) left the field in discomfort late in the game. Midfielder Jesse Lonergan had nine stitches for a facial cut after a sickening head clash with teammate Trent McKenzie who was cleared of concussion.

Aaron Hall had a game-high 36 touches, two goals and nine inside 50 entries for the Suns while ex-Eagle Matt Rosa has 32 disposals in his first premiership outing for the Gold Coast.

David Zaharakis was the best for the Bombers with 33 touches two goals and got good support from Zach Merrett (31 disposals).

Meanwhile, outgoing Suns chairman John Witheriff announced the Gold Coast’s major sponsor – Host Plus – had extended their deal with the club for another three years.

The Suns announced $10 million in new sponsorship deals in the past three days.

GOLD COAST SUNS 17.19 (121)

def

ESSENDON 9.6 (60)

GOALS

Gold Coast: Lynch 4, Hall Day Martin 2, Ablett Prestia Sexton Lonergan Miller Malceski Ah Chee 1

Essendon: Stokes 3, Zaharakis 2, Crowley Langford Daniher McKernan 1

BEST

Gold Coast: Ablett Hall Rischitelli Lynch Prestia Rosa Lonergan

Essendon: Zaharakis Z Merrett Kelly Goddard

Originally published as AFL 2016: Gold Coast Suns defeat Essendon by 61 points at Metricon Stadium in Round 1