Stuart Dew has conceded his team was lucky to come away with a two-point win over the Blues in their clash at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.

In a match that Dew compared to the Benny Hill Show at times, both teams lacked fluency around the ground and struggled with skill errors in patches.

The SUNS dominated clearances and inside 50s in the first half but couldn't make their dominance count on the scoreboard, with Carlton clicking into gear in the second and third quarters to lead by 11 points at the final break.

But Gold Coast claimed the win in a frantic finish, as Jack Bowes snapped a goal with under a minute remaining to seal the 8.11 (59) to 8.9 (57) victory for the SUNS.

Dew, whose men have now won three straight games by under a goal, paid tribute to his team's ability to persevere when the going got tough.

"Towards the end there I'm thinking… things aren't going anyone's way at the moment, it was a bit of the Benny Hill Show for a bit," Dew said.

"…I was probably in my head thinking gee, we've had the right intention, we just haven't been able to execute and it might cost us the game today.

"And then, something like that comes out, so the emotion was a bit roller-coaster to be honest.

"But again I think our guys, we just want to sell the message to them – and I don't think I'm having to sell it too hard – is that if they put the work in and dig in for four quarters, that you give yourself a chance.

"Eleven points down at three-quarter time, one (man) down, you can say 'ahh well we've had a bit of a go, odds are against us', but they chose to win and run the game out."

After going winless at home last season, Gold Coast have won both home games so far this season.

"In the end, I think a young group being able to win from that position is really important for us, great for our home crowd," he said.

"They were really loud in the end."

The SUNS have defied critics to be one of six teams to be 3-1 after the opening four rounds of the season.

All four matches have been decided by less than a goal, with a one-point loss to St Kilda, a three-point win over Fremantle, a five-point win over the Western Bulldogs and Sunday's two-point win.