Gold Coast’s first loss under coach Stuart Dew came at the hands of Fremantle, in their relocated home game at Optus Stadium in Round Three.
The Dockers – inspired by superstar Nat Fyfe's brilliance and Michael Walters' huge second half – were too good, running away with a 28-point triumph.
Gold Coast lost Irish star Pearce Hanley in the first half in his early comeback from a dislocated shoulder.
Scores were level at half-time and the Suns, inspired by courageous WA product Jack Martin, threatened another road win after starting fast in the third term.
Sam Day was solid up-forward with three goals in his third game back from injury, providing the stability the SUNS needed as they attempted to turn the tide on Fremantle.
But Fremantle's leaders lifted, with Fyfe, Walters (23 disposals, two goals) and Sandilands flexing their muscles as the Dockers ran out 13.18 (96) to 10.8 (68) winners in front of 33,388 fans.
Fyfe was superb from the outset – racking up 14 touches to quarter-time – and almost certainly pocketed three Brownlow votes for an imperious 38-disposal, 15-clearance and one-goal performance.
But the victory might have been soured by a high off-the-ball bump from Sandilands on Jarryd Lyons during the third quarter, while Crowden felled Aaron Hall a long way off the ball in the opening half.
The SUNS lacked the same urgency as their opening two victories, and with patches of scrappy play couldn’t quite disrupt Fremantle’s flow.
Lyons (30 disposals, two goals) and 100-gamer David Swallow (21) fought hard all match for Gold Coast.
MEDICAL ROOM
Gold Coast: The Suns lost Pearce Hanley just before half-time when he hurt the same shoulder he popped out during the JLT Community Series. Aaron Hall came to the bench in the opening term after copping an off-the-ball hit from Mitch Crowden and spent plenty of time forward after taking a breather on the pine.
NEXT UP
The SUNS are hanging around Perth for a week before they face West Coast back at Optus Stadium next Saturday, while Fremantle hits the road for a tough meeting with the Giants in Canberra.
GOLD COAST 2.1 6.4 9.7 10.8 (68)
FREMANTLE 4.5 5.10 10.13 13.18 (96)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Day 3, Sexton 3, Lyons 2, Lynch, Martin
Fremantle: McCarthy 3, Walters 2, Ballantyne 2, Mundy, Sheridan, Crowden, Fyfe, Sandilands, Matera
BEST
Gold Coast: Martin, Lyons, Swallow, Sexton, Harbrow, Kolodjashnij
Fremantle: Fyfe, Walters, Neale, Pearce, Mundy, McCarthy
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Hanley (shoulder)
Fremantle: TBC
Reports: Sandilands for rough conduct on Lyons in the third quarter.
Umpires: Hay, Williamson, McInerney.
Official crowd: 33,388 at Optus Stadium
A reminder both Gold Coast and Brisbane aren't permitted to play matches in their home cities, or at approved AFL venues in Cairns or Townsville during the Commonwealth Games due to Government Legislation.
