GOLD COAST Suns are looking to bounce back from a subdued first three quarters – and subsequent loss – against North Melbourne in Tasmania for Round 1 of the AFL Women’s, when they host reigning wooden spooners, West Coast at Metricon Stadium. The Suns suffered a 26-point defeat at the hands of the premiership-contending Roos down in Blundstone Arena, but will return to their home stadium to welcome an Eagles outfit making the longest state-to-state trek in football.

Suns coach Cameron Joyce said at his pre-match press conference that the side was looking to put in a big performance in front of home fans, and hoped a big crowd could be in attendance for the final game of Round 2 on Sunday evening.

“We love the support from the fans here at Metricon. It’s a reasonably family-friendly time and we’re hoping to get plenty of support here on Sunday,” Joyce said. “We’re trying to make this a place that, when teams come here, it’s hard to win a game of footy.”

West Coast is coming off a promising Round 1 performance, having overcome expansion side Port Adelaide at Mineral Resources Park. It was not without a fight though, as the Eagles booted four goals to two in the final term to run out 12-point victors. Joyce was impressed with what the blue and gold was able to achieve given the double-digit inclusions to the program, and said his side would need to play well to overcome them.

“They’ve had quite a bit of turnover but have gelled pretty well. Their finish to the game was really impressive,” Joyce said. “Their midfield is strong and they’ve still got some experience in their squad as well as adding some youth that are talented.”

After finishing with a head of steam against the Roos on the Apple Isle – booting their only two goals of the game in the final term and having nine of their 15 inside 50s in that final term – Joyce said he hoped that momentum would carry into the Round 2 clash.

“The first three quarters were not the way we wanted to play, we want to get the footy down our end and score,” Joyce said .In the last quarter we showed that – had nine inside 50s to three, two goals to none and they (North Melbourne) couldn’t score off that.

“The players have been able to see that against a quality team. We’re really trying to get that going this week at training and get back to our identity. “We need to make sure we’re ready to take the game on from the start rather than the game coming to us.”

Gold Coast hosts West Coast from 5:10pm at Metricon Stadium on Sunday, September 4.