IT LOOKED like one-way traffic early, but after kicking the first three goals of the match in less than three minutes, West Coast was made to fight all the way against Gold Coast before finally getting home 12.11 (83) to 8.10 (58) at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Eagles started on fire in the 30+ degree Perth heat, but had surrendered the lead before half-time to a committed Suns outfit that lost star youngster Matt Rowell late in the first quarter.

The Rising Star favourite hurt his knee in what appeared a relatively innocuous incident, and while club officials will be hoping for the best, the site of Rowell on crutches with his knee in a large brace didn’t look good.

Most of West Coast’s scoring was through the three-pronged attack of Jack Darling (two goals), Josh Kennedy (two) and the ever-improving Oscar Allen (four), while Tim Kelly was dynamic through the midfield.

More to come

WEST COAST    3.3   5.4   7.7    12.11 (83)
GOLD COAST    2.4   4.5   7.8    8.10 (58)

00:47

Team song: West Coast

Watch the Eagles celebrate their round one win

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Nic Naitanui of the Eagles sets for a mark during the round one AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on March 21, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Nathan Vardy of the Eagles celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2021 AFL Round 01 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on March 21, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Jack Darling of the Eagles kicks the ball during the 2021 AFL Round 01 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on March 21, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Josh J. Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the round one AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on March 21, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

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