GOLD Coast made hard work of it, but snuck past Essendon by three points in Mackay on Sunday, with draftees Ben Ainsworth and Will Brodie having major impacts.

Ainsworth is almost a lock for round one and showed why he was taken with the fourth pick in last year's draft, kicking two goals and giving off another.

Full match coverage and stats

Brodie, the No.9 pick, also kicked two goals to go with his 18 disposals.

The Suns trailed by seven points midway through the final term, but kicked three straight goals to hit the lead before hanging on 12.7 (79) to 12.4 (76) at Harrup Park.

"The result is not the be-all and end-all, but where we're coming from, it was pleasing to win in the end," Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade said.

"I think it was a step up from our last game as far as our improvement.

"There were still some areas to work on. I thought our efficiency going inside 50 was average ... shots at goal, we probably kicked four out on the full and missed some we should have kicked, so there's certainly some things to work on."

While the Bombers lost their second straight JLT Community Series contest, there was plenty to be excited about, with first-gamer Josh Begley kicking four goals.

The No.31 pick was outstanding, kicking two goals in the first quarter, one in the second and one in the third in a performance that will surely push his name forward for an opening round selection.

He was just as comfortable with the ball on the ground as he was with it in the air and added real spark to the Bombers' forward line.

"His first game out there today was impressive," coach John Worsfold said. "He looked really dangerous."

Jobe Watson continued to dust off the rust of 12 months out of the game, finishing with 24 disposals, while youngster Jayden Laverde was also a standout with three goals.

Worsfold said after being thumped around the contest in the first quarter (Gold Coast led the clearances 16-2), his team fought back well.

"It was a real mixed performance," he said. 

"Our ability to defend under real pressure was outstanding at times, and some of our rebound from the back half, we were really pleased with the ball movement. 

"The reason those things had to be good was because we were giving Gold Coast first use of the ball and field position and we had to do our work from there. 

"The way the boys adjusted after half-time and stepped up to the challenge in addressing that was a real positive as well."

The Suns deserved their win after conceding the game's first four goals.

They led the disposals 407-350, clearances 36-26 and most tellingly the inside 50s by 59-40.

Michael Barlow (31 disposals, 13 contested) was prolific, while Alex Sexton (25 and two goals) was terrific in his first game of the season for the victors.

WHAT WE LEARNED
Gold Coast: He might not be a household name, but Alex Sexton again proved he's one of the Suns' most important players. The 23-year-old was arguably best afield in his first game for the season, finishing with 25 disposals (at 84 per cent efficiency), five clearances and two goals. Sexton is a recognised winger and loves to take the game on. He keeps his width and offers a great outlet for either defenders or midfielders, and as his 50m goal in the second quarter showed, has a thumping right foot that is always improving.

Essendon: The Bombers want to move the ball quickly. When they got it in the back half, the likes of Hurley, Gleeson and Hartley couldn't wait to move it on. Sometimes it came unstuck, but when the midfielders linked up it was both exciting to watch and highly effective in giving the forwards time and space against their opponents. Joe Daniher had a tough first game for the season, but the quick movement gave a chance for Begley and Laverde to flourish.

NEW FACES
Gold Coast: Ben Ainsworth continued to show why he was so highly regarded at draft time. Aside from his two goals, perhaps the most impressive piece of play from the youngster was when he spotted Brandon Matera with a short chip pass when he could have easily blazed away at goal. Will Brodie got a little tired as the match wore on, but his inside grunt work was again on show, while his two first quarter goals helped steady the ship for the Suns. Mature recruits Michael Barlow (31 disposals) and Pearce Hanley (23) again impressed.

Essendon: Draftee Josh Begley made quite the impression in his first hit-out, kicking three first-half goals and finishing with four for the match. His first came following a brilliant pick-up off his bootlaces and right foot snap, while two others came by finding space on the lead. No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath looked more at home than his debut against Collingwood with his 16 disposals. His handballing in congestion was particularly impressive. Jordan Ridley (No.22 pick) had a sound game in defence, with one brilliant goal-saving tackle on Ainsworth a highlight, while Dylan Clarke (No.63) had some nice touches in his 11 disposals. Recruits Josh Green and James Stewart kicked a goal each and looked dangerous from limited chances in the forward line.

NEXT UP
After winning its first two games of the JLT Community Series, Gold Coast gets a break now before hosting the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on March 9, where they will have Gary Ablett back. The Bombers have two weeks off and play Geelong on March 12 in Bendigo.

 

GOLD COAST    4.1    7.4    9.6    12.7 (79)
ESSENDON        4.2    6.2    9.2    12.4 (76)

SUPERGOALS
Gold Coast: Nil
Essendon: Nil

GOALS
Gold Coast: Ainsworth 2, Brodie 2, Sexton 2, Wright, Matera, Martin, Macpherson, Currie, Lonergan
Essendon: Begley 4, Laverde 3, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Stewart, Green, Langford, Parish

BEST 
Gold Coast: Sexton, May, Martin, Hanley, Ainsworth, Barlow
Essendon: Stanton, Hurley, Gleeson, Begley, Langford, Parish

INJURIES
Gold Coast: Nil
Essendon: Hurley (ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Nicholls, Deboy, Chamberlain, Fisher

Official crowd: TBC at Harrup Park Country Club (Mackay)

More to come