King hanger the highlight as Suns record biggest win in club history

That’s round one in the books! More floggings than I expected this weekend, I’ll be honest. But still truly wonderful to have the footy back.

Thanks for your company again today and all weekend, and keep an eye out for all our footy coverage through the week. See you in round two!

Gold Coast forward Ben King has kicked a career-high six goals to go with an early mark-of-the-year contender as the Andrew McQualter era at West Coast started with a crushing 87-point loss at Perth Stadium.

The Suns kicked nine unanswered goals from midway through the first quarter to early in the third on the way to the 20.16 (136) to 7.7 (49) triumph in Perth on Sunday.

It marked the biggest win in Gold Coast’s history, bettering their 86-point triumph over Hawthorn in 2017.

West Coast’s midfield barely got going, with the likes of Tim Kelly (14 disposals) and Harley Reid (12 disposals) well below their best.

Suns ruckman Jarrod Witts (68 hitouts) had a field day against Eagles big man Matt Flynn (13 hitouts).

Compounding the Eagles’ woes, All-Australian forward Jake Waterman was subbed out of the game in the third term with a right calf issue.

Gold Coast were also dealt an injury blow, with defender Charlie Ballard subbed out after jarring his left knee while landing just before half-time.

King kicked 6.2 and provided a huge highlight when he leapt onto the shoulders of Eagles defender Harry Edwards and stayed there for a couple of seconds to reel in a spectacular grab.

Ben Long kicked four goals while Jake Rogers (three goals) and Ethan Read (two goals) showed plenty of promise.

Noah Anderson (36 disposals, nine clearances, 713m gained), Matt Rowell (30 disposals, 10 clearances) and Touk Miller (26 disposals, 10 clearances) ran rampant, while former Tiger Daniel Rioli tallied 21 disposals and two goals in his Suns debut.

McQualter, in his first year as Eagles coach, promised to implement a fast-paced, exciting brand of football at West Coast.

But with the Eagles soundly beaten in the midfield, there was barely a chance for the home side to show any sort of identity.

AAP

(There’s the Ben King hanger one more time for good measure…)

A winning margin is a new record for the Suns, and to do it on the road in the opening game of the season feels like a marker being laid down.

There really is no excuse for Gold Coast not to play finals this year. The talent is clearly there and clearly ready, and with Damian Hardwick’s methods embedded now the stage should be set for a Gold Coast explosion.

Could this be the start of something special?

The final margin is 87 points, which officially makes this the biggest win in Gold Coast Suns history. They might be ready at last.

The Suns bullied the Eagles today from start to finish. Too strong, too fast, too slick, far too good. Much like the Pies-Port game last night there isn’t much analysing you can do aside from saying Gold Coast was better than West Coast at literally everything, all the time.

West Coast? Boy, what can you say. That was a horror show, and the absolute worst way for Andrew McQualter’s reign to begin.

The Eagles skipper strikes a blow in the war against triple digits. His mark in the goalsquare was impressive, a window into what he can do at his best. Hasn’t had much service today, in fairness.

Margin sits at 87 points with 3:47 on the clock.

That’s a second for the Suns’ star recruit, and when your defenders are able to kick stoppage goals inside 50 you know you’re having a good day.

These Suns have so many weapons, and if they are finally able to put it all together over the course of a season then they could be on the verge of something special.

It’s the biggest afternoon of his career now, six of the best for Ben King!

The ball is just streaming through the middle of the ground with next to no pressure on it, so the Eagles defenders have no hope. Harry Edwards has had a horrid time out there as this lead gets out to 87.

Long has had a big day now, that’s four goals from the crafty forward. He’s had to do it the hard way too, that one coming from another crafty snap deep in the pocket.

Can the Suns get this margin out to 100 points?

Not a typo, Rogers has kicked another one.

The Suns just stroll their way through the Eagles zone until Rogers gets to stroll on in to an open goal 30 out.

And that lead is heading back in the blowout direction again, with the Suns effortlessly ruthless right now.

Honestly, West Coast’s midfield showing today has been truly alarming. With only Elliot Yeo to come back into it, I’m not sure what the solution is short-to-medium term.

West Coast finally got the crowd involved with some intensity, effort and repeat entries but as soon as the ball started heading back the other way the Eagles couldn’t keep up.

Graham outran Hough, went long to King out the back and let the big man make it a handful.

The former Blue is on the board for the Eagles, getting on the end of another nice chain from the back for West Coast to mark and goal.

West Coast has been okay (just okay) when they’ve had the ball in space, it’s been in the contest where they have been humiliated.

How’s a little Sunday arvo hanger for good measure? The (very) early leader for mark of the year right here.

The Suns are cruising now, keeping the Eagles at arm’s length without having to overexert in this second half. The midfield remains imperious and the forwards are taking turns flying for grabs and kicking some ridiculous goals.

West Coast will just be begging for this game to end so they can look forward to next week and … Brisbane at the Gabba. Good lord.

Every time the Eagles kick a goal, the Suns go straight of the middle and find a response! This was a proper fluke from Long, whose floaty snap from the boundary line somehow wobbled its way on through.

McGovern was certain he touched it, but the goal somewhat surprisingly stands.

Good work at a forward 50 stoppage from Elijah Hewett there, bursting into space and snapping towards Flynn in the goalsquare. The ruckman dived forward and just about pulled it in above the turf.

A couple of bright moments in this quarter for the Eagles at least.

The word is a calf injury, which is interesting because Waterman had to prove his fitness for this game over the past few days.

Not sure if the injury has become worse, or if they are pulling him out as a precaution because this one is done and dusted.

It was like something out of a footy video game! Ben King had the most delicious sit possible on Harry Edwards, got both knees up on the shoulders and hung their for long enough to reel in a contender!

He kicks the goal from the square, but that might be the highlight of the game for the Suns – and there have been a few!

Suns go straight out of the middle after that Reid goal, with Miller working harder and wanting it more.

He streams through the 50 and converts with pure class. He’s been sensational today, teaching the Eagles a thing or two about work ethic.