GOLD Coast has announced itself as a finals contender after a stunning 26-point upset win over Fremantle at Domain Stadium that will rank as one of the club’s greatest in its short history.

The 19.12 (126) to 14.16 (100) win broke all sorts of records for the Suns, importantly being their first win at Domain Stadium in eight attempts as well as their first win over the Dockers at any venue.

It was the first time the Suns have started the season with consecutive wins and the first time the Dockers have begun the year with consecutive losses since 2009.

Five talking points: Fremantle v Gold Coast

The Suns also kicked the highest score of any visiting side against the Dockers since Ross Lyon began his coaching tenure at the start of 2012.

Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade was most pleased with his young side's composure.

"Our ability to withstand the pressure and still be able to score as well was pleasing," Eade said post-match.

"I got a lot of confidence from the energy the players were driving after the game. They really believed they could give a good account of themselves and win the game.

"There was a lot of energy around the place. We have to be mindful now that energy, or as a young group, that we don't get comfortable. We can't just think we can turn up and it's going to happen."

Dockers coach Ross Lyon said he was disappointed but not disheartened.

"We sit here disappointed, we're certainly not bowed," Lyon said. 

"I thought there was some good fight. I understand our members and fans would be disappointed, but no one is more disappointed than the senior coach and the senior players.

"I thought there was plenty of heart: 59 (inside 50) entries to 51, kicked 100 (points), probably something positive in there, maybe.

"But we'll work through defending a bit better." 

Gold Coast used superior pace and skill to pick the Fremantle apart, stunning the Dockers faithful into silence.

Tom Lynch starred with an equal career-high five goals while Jack Martin was equally dangerous with four goals and two goal assists.

Dion Prestia gathered 24 disposals and kicked two goals, while Aaron Hall had another big night with 32 touches at 87 per cent efficiency, continuing his great start to the season.

Adam Saad only gathered the ball 15 times, but his run and carry was very damaging out of defence.

Nat Fyfe tried to keep the Dockers in it with 34 possessions and three goals but he had little support.

Michael Walters kicked 3.3 and Matthew Pavlich 2.2, but they missed golden chances at key moments.   

The Suns weathered an early storm after trailing by 13 points in time-on in the first term before taking control thereafter. They kicked seven goals to two in the second term to lead by 29 points at half-time and were never challenged from there.

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The difference between the two sides was the efficiency going forward. The Dockers won the clearances 43-32, contested possessions 157-122 and the inside 50s 59-51.

But their ball use was deplorable at times on the back of some excellent pressure from the Suns, and their skill and composure was far superior to the Dockers.

The Suns kicked at 69 per cent efficiency and had 11 players with a disposal efficiency of 80 per cent or better, while the Dockers kicked at 56 per cent efficiency for the match. 

MEDICAL ROOM

Fremantle: Matthew Pavlich came off during the third term with a hip complaint and had ice on his right hip joint post-match, but he did play out the game. David Mundy copped a whack to the jaw but appeared OK in the rooms. Tommy Sheridan and Hayden Ballantyne both had work done on their hamstrings during the match but appeared fine post-game.

Gold Coast: The Suns emerged with a clean bill of health.

NEXT UP

The Dockers face a brutal round three clash with West Coast next Saturday night as they look to avoid slumping to 0-3. The Suns have a golden chance to skip to 3-0 as they face Carlton at Metricon Stadium next Saturday.

FREMANTLE     4.4   6.7   11.10   14.16 (100)
GOLD COAST    4.3 11.6   16.9     19.12 (126)  

GOALS
Fremantle: Ballantyne 4, Fyfe 3, Walters 3, Pavlich 2, Mundy, Mayne 
Gold Coast: Lynch 5, Martin 4, Ah Chee 2, Matera 2, Davis 2, Ablett, Sexton, Prestia, Cameron 

BEST
Fremantle: Fyfe, Walters, Neale, Ballantyne, Pavlich, Johnson
Gold Coast: Hall, Lynch, Prestia, Ablett, Sexton, Martin 

INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil 
Gold Coast: Nil  

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Bannister, Dalgleish, Schmitt

Official crowd: 34,208 at Domain Stadium