Eagles show pluck to slow red-hot Suns

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By Murray Wenzel

March 15, 2026 — 9.32pm

West Coast’s new-look outfit hung tough as a fast-starting Gold Coast dropped off record pace in a 59-point AFL win.

Sunday’s clash at Carrara had all the makings of a rout as the Eagles, who won just once last season, headed east with four fresh-faced debutants to face the red-hot Suns.

Jarrod Witts of the Suns competes for the ball during the round one AFL match between Gold Coast Suns and West Coast Eagles.

And it went to script in the first half, with the hosts piling on goals at will to lead by 62 at the main break and look set to rewrite club scoring records.

But the Eagles, sparked by fiery first-gamer Milan Murdock, responded in a 20.11 (131) to 10.12 (72) loss that will have given coach Andrew McQualter plenty of encouragement.

Like last week against Geelong, the Suns threatened to push the margin into triple figures before taking their foot off the gas.

Christian Petracca (23 disposals, four goals) continued his dominating start to life at the Suns with three first-quarter goals while Ben King kicked five majors.

Noah Anderson collected a game-high 34 disposals to go with a goal while Joel Jeffrey (28 disposals) was among the Suns’ best in defence.

Alex Davies, Daniel Rioli, Jy Farrar, Jake Rogers and Ben Long all kicked goals in an impressive 84-point first half.

Murdock (22 disposals), recruited from the WAFL just two weeks ago, kicked two goals and was the first to ruffle Mac Andrew’s feathers in a plucky debut.

Jake Waterman (three goals, three behinds) had the better of Andrew while Elliot Yeo (17 disposals) kicked a quickfire double in the third term in his injury comeback.

Those majors fuelled a 5.4 quarter for the visitors, compared to the Suns’ 3.2, that staved off the threat of Suns records falling.

Former Lion Deven Robertson (17 touches, 12 tackles, five clearances ) had eight tackles well before halftime while Harley Reid led the Eagles with 23 disposals.

AAP