Last weekend saw the Gold Coast SUNS get a win for the first time in over 600 days when they beat West Coast out at Whitten Oval.

Some might look at that result and wonder what it was that finally clicked for Gold Coast, that hasn’t clicked in over a year.

Was it the personnel they brought in? Was it something in the game stats?

Let’s take a look and see what the answer to this question may be.

When you break down the stats and take a look at them individually, it makes the win even more remarkable.

In last weekend’s match, Gold Coast had 179 total disposals (117 kicks and 62 handballs), compared to West Coast’s 182 disposals (125 kicks and 57 disposals).

That figure is a slight increase on last season’s average of 171.5 disposals a game for Gold Coast, and an increase on its Round 1 figure of 161. So, this does mean the SUNS got more of the ball on Sunday then they had in their previous matches since their last win – even if they lost the overall count.

West Coast beat the Suns in several other stats on the weekend, if not on the scoreboard.

The Suns lost the hit-out count 20 to 34 and the clearances 19 to 24.

Despite losing the inside 50 count, Gold Coast was more effective with its inside 50 opportunities than West Coast were.

They had 21 inside 50s for seven goals four, compared to West Coast who scored five goals three from 30 inside 50s.

However, the SUNS did kick more goals then their 2021 average suggested they would.

They averaged only 2.6 goals a game last season, so the fact they kicked seven on the weekend is a good sign for the future. It was their highest-ever total, and came to the surprise of many given the game had seen just four goals to three-quarter time, before the flurry of eight.

This may be down to the personnel Gold Coast has been able to bring in since that last win in 2020.

Over the last two drafts, they have been able to bring in the likes of Sarah Perkins, Tara Bohanna and Charlie Rowbottom. With the former pair making for a dynamic tall duo inside 50 and the latter delivering the ball to them quickly, it is no wonder the SUNS were able to turn the tide in a flash.

Further to their effectiveness, Perkins and Bohanna’s inclusions has given the SUNS some experience at high levels against adults, which many of their other, younger players simply don’t have as of yet.

Regardless of what the reason may be, the SUNS will take a lot of confidence from the win, and hopefully for their fans, will be able to build on it and carry some momentum into the weeks and months to come.