The West Coast Eagles have started the season with a second successive defeat after going down to Gold Coast by 35 points at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday.

Coming off a round one loss to the Western Bulldogs, and with nine second gamers in their team, the Suns travelled west and stunned the Eagles with a high-pressure performance, winning 10.9 (69) to 5.4 (34).

They set up the win with a seven-goal-to-one first half, using their speed and athleticism to force turnovers and counter-attack before holding their ground against an improved Eagles team in a tighter second half.  

Alannah Welsh was the star, booting five goals for the visitors. Amy Franklin booted three goals for the Eagles in an impressive display.

For West Coast, star midfielder Ella Roberts (24 and seven clearances) fought through a hard tag to have an influence alongside defender Emma Swanson (26 and seven marks).

The 0-2 Eagles will need to respond against Adelaide next week to get their season rolling after defeat to the Giants in round one.

It was a statement win by the Suns that showed the new-look team will be a danger in 2026, with coach Rhyce Shaw's game plan clearly clicking as Gold Coast controlled possession and field position for long periods.

As well as Welsh, young Sun Ava Usher (two goals) was a constant threat, while experienced midfielder Charlie Rowbottom (26 disposals and six clearances) controlled stoppages.

Half-back Niamh McLaughlin (nine intercepts) was important behind the ball, with draftee Sunny Lappin showing her class with the ball and kicking the first goal of her career. 

Gold Coast regained some experience ahead of Saturday's clash, with vice-captain Maddy Brancatisano and important defender Katie Lynch both returning, but it was the Suns' youth that did maximum damage early.

Usher kicked her first career goal after some defensive brilliance from Havana Harris, with Welsh getting her first through a craft dribble kick as Gold Coast dominated field position in a bright start.

West Coast countered through Amy Franklin after a chasedown tackle, but the Suns continued to attack with speed, applying great pressure and standing up in the contest, with Welsh kicking a second from the pocket to give Gold Coast a 14-point break at the first change.    

The visitors made their big move in the second term, kicking four unanswered goals in a dominant 15-minute burst to open a game-high 38-point lead as Lily Quigley and Lappin got their first career goals.

The quarter was played almost exclusively in Gold Coast's front half, with the young Suns dominating inside 50s (11-4) and then locking the ball in attack with their pressure.

It took some smart play from Kellie Gibson to set up West Coast's only goal for the term through Carlton recruit Keeley Skepper, cutting the margin to 33 points at the main break.

The Eagles lifted their intensity in the third and had much more of the play, but inefficiency with the ball and a lack of composure prevented them from making a dent in the margin as both teams kicked one goal apiece.

West Coast faces the Crows at Unley Oval in round three next Saturday.

WEST COAST 1.1   2.3   3.3   5.4 (34)

GOLD COAST  3.3   7.6   8.6   10.9 (69)

GOALS

West Coast: Franklin 3, Skepper, Slocombe

Gold Coast: Welsh 5, Usher 2, Davies, Lappin, Quigley  

BEST

West Coast: Swanson, Roberts, Franklin, Painter

Gold Coast: Welsh, Rowbottom, McLaughlin, Lappin, Davies, Usher

INJURIES

West Coast: Nil

Gold Coast: Nil

LATE CHANGES

West Coast: Charlie Thomas (illness) replaced in the selected side by Sarah Lakay

Gold Coast: Nil

Crowd: TBC at Mineral Resources Park