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AAP
Sport
Shayne Hope

Dominant Suns give Eagles AFLW lesson

The Gold Coast Suns have thrashed the West Coast Eagles by 33 points in the AFLW. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Gold Coast have overcome the loss of star forward Jaimee Stanton to a knee injury to register their first win of the AFLW season, thrashing West Coast by 33 points.

The Suns held the visitors goalless until the final quarter and were in control throughout their 7.5 (47) to 2.2 (14) triumph on Sunday at Metricon Stadium.

But it came at a cost, with Stanton damaging her left knee in the first quarter and ending the match on crutches.

"We don't know the full extent of it yet ... but certainly she's one of our really important players," Suns coach Cameron Joyce told reporters.

"We would've loved to have her out there but the girls really picked up the slack when she went down and got the result, which is nice.

"She's really pleased with that and now we've just got to wait and see on scans and things."

The Eagles' Belinda Smith was also helped off the field before quarter-time with rib damage after suffering friendly fire in a marking contest.

Alison Drennan was best afield with 24 disposals, seven clearances, nine tackles and a goal in a dazzling display for Gold Coast.

Courtney Jones was dangerous in attack for the Suns in Stanton's absence and finished with two goals, while Giselle Davies kicked one on debut.

Ashlee Atkins, Elizabeth Keaney and Tara Bohanna also kicked goals as Claudia Whitfort (21 disposals) and Charlie Rowbottom (19) found plenty of the ball.

"The midfield really got it started, which was great. They did some heavy lifting in there, which gave us some territory and opportunities to score," Joyce said.

"Then the girls set up well behind the ball, so it was a reasonably complete performance."

A rushed behind gave West Coast an early lead but they didn't score again until the third term.

Kate Bartlett benefited from a fortuitous bounce to kick the Eagles' first goal midway through the final quarter and Aisling McCarthy added their second.

Dana Hooker and Emma Swanson (17 disposals each) worked hard for West Coast but lacked help.

"It wasn't the way we want to play footy and I thought we were beaten in all aspects of the game," Eagles coach Michael Prior told reporters.

"We got smashed around the ball, clearance, we couldn't move the ball, we got trapped in our back half a lot and it didn't resemble the way we want to play."

The Suns take on Queensland rivals Brisbane at the Gabba in round three, while West Coast host Essendon at Mineral Resources Park.

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