IT WASN’T always pretty, but Gold Coast has won its third match of the season, running away from Collingwood by 30 points at People First Stadium on Saturday.

Trailing by four points at half-time, the Suns exploded with a seven-goal second half to storm to a 9.8 (62) to 4.8 (32) victory and a 3-2 win-loss record.

SUNS v MAGPIES Full match coverage and stats

Gold Coast tried all day to move the ball by running and changing angles, but a combination of Collingwood’s pressure and some poor skills ensured the first half was a tight contest.

00:25

Howarth kicks truly on her milestone game

In game 50, Kalinda Howarth kicks her first goal for the season against her former side.

White (29, including 14 intercepts) was a brick wall in defence for the Magpies, while Jordy Allen (nine intercepts) also played a great role.

Gold Coast slaughtered their opponents at stoppages 32-9 and as the game wore on it was able to take advantage of the great grunt work provided by Rowbottom, Lucy Single and Brancatisano.

Collingwood fought hard, but looked scratchy going forward and is still without a win through the opening five rounds.

Schleicher a late out
The task was difficult enough for the winless Magpies as they headed north to take on the young Suns, but it became close to impossible with the late withdrawal of Ruby Schleicher. The star forward, who kicked three of her team’s four goals against Carlton last week, was ruled out with a hamstring injury. In her absence, Collingwood battled for forward-half connection, kicking just four goals. 

Next up
Gold Coast will try to solidify its spot in the top eight next Sunday when it travels to Windy Hil to take on Essendon at 1.05pm AEST. Collingwood has another difficult task in trying to win its first game for the season, hosting Geelong on Saturday at Victoria Park (12:35pm AEST). 

06:27

'Can't question our intent': Wright

Hear from Collingwood AFLW Senior Coach Sam Wright following his side's loss to the SUNS.

GOLD COAST         0.2    2.5    6.6    9.8 (62)
COLLINGWOOD    1.1    3.3    4.4    4.8 (32) 

GOALS
Gold Coast: Lappin 3, Brancatisano 2, Harris, Baron, Usher, Hatchard
Collingwood: Runnalls, James, Howarth, Breed 

BEST 
Gold Coast: Lappin, Rowbottom, Brancatisano, Harris, Single, Nurse
Collingwood: White, Davey, Allen, Remmos 

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Collingwood: Nil 

LATE CHANGES 
Gold Coast: Nil
Collingwood: Ruby Schleicher (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Imogen Trengove 

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 1472 at People First Stadium