The good form of Gold Coast SUNS half forward Brandon Matera has continued in his side's 26-point win over Carlton on Easter Saturday night.

Matera led the charge working up the ground to provide an option on the lead as well as working back towards the goals to finish with three majors to go along with 29 disposals.

Matera’s spike in form has been on the back of a strong pre-season, and he earned the ultimate praise from coach Rodney Eade after Saturday night’s victory, saying Matera was playing the best footy he has seen him play in his time at the club.

“I think it’s the best fortnight (Matera has played), certainly in my time, but I think in his (Matera) career,” Eade said in his press conference post game.

“We aren’t judging him on disposals or goals, that’s a by-product of how we want him to play and he’s learning those good habits.

“He came back over the pre season and worked as hard as anyone, he was in good knick when he arrived back.”

“He had an eye operation in the pre season so missed a couple of games so didn’t get the nod for round one, went back (to the NEAFL), played well and got his chance last week,” Eade said.

In the NEAFL Round 1 match against the GWS Giants, Matera racked up a team high 31 possessions along with 4 goals.

Matera’s solid form continued from there, with a dominant half forward display against Hawthorn in his first AFL game for the season.

He was a handful for the Hawks defenders booting 6 second half goals, including a miracle soccer-like bicycle kick goal to be the SUNS premier goal kicker in the impressive 86-point win at Metricon Stadium.

Coming off a six-day break in warm Gold Coast conditions, preparation was key for the travelling SUNS ahead of round 4.

For Rodney Eade’s men, consistency of form was key across the ground as their performance against Hawthorn had set the benchmark.

Matera echoed this when speaking with goldcoastfc.com.au on Saturday night.

“We had a six day break so it was all about the preparation, and getting our bodies right for tonight,” Matera told.

“We stayed with the same three things we did last week, the main one was to compete and the boys competed. It was an arm wrestle early but we knew if we keep competing we’d break them open.”

Although the SUNS didn’t have it all their own way, they focused on playing a consistent brand of footy and eventually got on top of the young Carlton defence who were resilient for much of the first half.

“That was the aim this week, to come down here to Melbourne and back it up, play the way like we did last week,” Matera said.

“It was a bit of an arm wrestle early, that third quarter we really opened them up and the boys played pretty well.”

For much of the first half, the teams fought over momentum with neither team able to take full advantage and Carlton missing some opportunities.

Tom Lynch booted five first half goals, a new career best, to keep the SUNS in the game as Carlton took a slight five point lead into the main break.

Coming out of half time, the dynamic forward line of Lynch, Peter Wright and Matera got on top of the Carlton defenders by changing their running patterns, using the full size of the ground and continuing to work hard for each other.

The SUNS kicked seven third term goals to Carlton’s one to take a healthy 32-point lead into three quarter time.

“I think it was just changing the angles, we got out to the open side and really spread the ground.”

“We just talk about our synergy really; we’re working for each other.”

The SUNS finished the with a 26-point victory, taking their record to 2-2 for the first 4 rounds of the season with Tom Lynch finishing with a career high seven goals.

Matera will be hoping to keep his good form going as the SUNS head back to the Gold Coast to face an Adelaide Crows side full of confidence at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

“The boys did well, good to see Lynchy kick a bag but the boys all chipped in which is good.”

“Hopefully we can keep getting a few more wins.”