Saturday, 2nd of April
Gabba (N)
Gold Coast vs. Carlton
Carlton by 119 points

Gold Coast
1.1.7
3.5.23
6.8.38
7.10.52

Carlton
9.5.59
15.7.97
21.10.136
26.15.171

Goals
Carlton: Garlett (5), Walker (5), Thornton (4), Judd (2), Warnock (2), Betts (2), Waite (2), Curnow, Murphy, Robinson, Simpson
Gold Coast: Dixon (2), Harris, Bennell, Fraser, Matera, Stanley

Bests
Carlton: Judd, Murphy, Yarran, Carrazzo, Gibbs, Thornton
Gold Coast: Rischitelli, Harris, Matera, Dixon, Bennell

Injuries
Carlton: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 27, 914


Carlton has handed the Gold Coast Suns a 119-point hiding at the 'Gabba tonight spoiling Gold Coast's first ever game in the AFL. The Blues ran riot winning 26.15 (171) to Gold Coast 7.10 (52), the Suns never in the hunt.

The Blues outplayed the Suns in every department, Carlton kicked the first goal of the game, which saw a blistering start by the Blues before Charlie Dixon booted the first goal ever for the Gold Coast Suns bringing the house down. It was the only thing to cheer for the Suns, as the Blues would lead at half time by 74-points. That margin was later extended to 92 at three quarter time before the Blues would run riot in the last.

Carlton managed to boot 5 goals in the last quarter to cap off the demolition of the Suns. Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs were the leading ball winners for the Blues while Jeff Garlett and Andrew Walker booted five goals a piece in a damaging forward display.

On the other side of the coin for the Gold Coast, young Charlie Dixon, the club's first ever signing, was their shining light with two goals. Gary Ablett, who up until half time had only gotten 2 disposals, started to find himself in the game and former Lion Michael Rischitelli managed to find plenty of the ball as well. Daniel Harris was also able to get amongst it for the Suns with 30 disposals, most of which were handballs with 21.

27,914 people came along to watch the debut of the Gold Coast Suns and despite the Suns being blown away, the fans still cheered their side home and were still there at the final siren. The AFL would be happy to see a good crowd rock up tonight for the Suns, even more so that there were no concussions either, with the concussion rule in the news a lot this weekend already.

Both sides leave the game with no injuries, though Campbell Brown was working out the hamstrings late in the game on the sidelines. Nathan Krakouer was substituted off the ground in the third quarter and replaced by Josh Toy. For the Blues, Shaun Hampson would make way in the fourth quarter for Dennis Armfield.

The Suns will have a week to lick their wounds before they travel interstate for the very first time to play against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium while the Blues, who are now 2-0 this season, have a day less than the reigning premiers Collingwood to prepare for their clash at the MCG Friday Night. The Blues will have added reason to be fired up for this game, as Collingwood finally unfurl the 2010 Premiership flag.

It's easy to mock the Gold Coast Suns after a massive loss like this, but the reality is, they played together for the first time. Ablett was underdone even though he bounced back in the second half, even if he couldn't find the goals. The Suns are going to be in for a long season - it's clear from their first game that it's going to take a few weeks for them to gel.

No such worries it seems for the Blues, 2 wins already, managing to fight off the Tigers last weekend and this weekend they got themselves a percentage booster. Chris Judd in fine form, the dual Brownlow medallist was finding the ball at will and was damaging at that.

Jordan Russell was racking up the possessions too as was Marc Murphy. The Blues are taking in some much needed confidence against a rampaging Collingwood side and no doubt the Blues will lift for that game. Once that flag is unfurled, the blood will be boiling ready for the siren to sound.