Harley Bennell didn’t skip a beat in his return to AFL football, reminding fans he’s a key piece to Gold Coast’s booming midfield brigade.

The hard-running midfielder was back to his brilliant self in his comeback from a troublesome calf injury, offering plenty of run on the outside and in attack as a high half-forward.

He pushed back when the Kangaroos threatened to hit the scoreboard, and kept the forward pressure on with a team second-best five inside-50 entries.

Of his 23 possessions, 21 came uncontested, demonstrating his ease  in finding the footy in space.

Bennell rounded out his comeback performance with seven marks and two goals, both of which saw the former No. 3 pick stroll in to an open goal square.

Speaking exclusively with SUNS TV after the club's 43-point victory, and their first win at Etihad Stadium, Bennell was thrilled to have defeated a genuine top-four contender in  the Kangaroos.

“We into the game focusing on the combo of tackles and contested footy,” he said.

“We played three quarters of footy; second quarter we lapsed a bit but it was good to get a win.”

Charlie Dixon also made a return to the senior action, and Bennell said the Gold Coast powerhouse made a strong impact both in the air and at ground level alongside tall timber Sam Day and Tom Lynch.

“It was good to have Charlie back as well, in the forward line he created contested alongside Daysy and Lynchy.

“They were really good today.”

The Western Australian product, along with the rest of the playing group,will now use the round eight bye to freshen up for what promises to be an exciting next phase of the 2014 fixture.

Gold Coast will fancy its chances against their next AFL challengers in St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs.

“The boys are in a good head space so hopefully we can have a good break and come back and fire up against St. Kilda.”