Gold Coast has bounced back from a QClash humiliation by producing a confidence-boosting 14-point victory over St Kilda in Mackay.

The Suns suffered a 73-point belting at the hands of Queensland rivals Brisbane last week but showed no mental scars of that defeat on Saturday.

Led by Charlie Rowbottom, the Suns produced a match-winning third quarter by kicking three goals and keeping the Saints scoreless.

Together We Rise: Become a 2022 Member today

St Kilda finished with a strong breeze in the last quarter, but Gold Coast was able to hang on 5.12 (42) to 4.4 (28) for its second win of the season.

Rowbottom, the sister of Sydney men's midfielder James, put in the type of performance that had her picked first in the 2021 draft. She collected a game-high 30 touches, six clearances and laid nine tackles.

Round 4 v Gold Coast
  • 01:27

    AFLW RD4 | 'We can't just do that for one quarter': Exon after Suns clash

    Nat Exon spoke to STK Media following our match against Gold Coast in Mackay

    AFLW
  • 10:41

    AFLW RD4 | Mini-Match: Gold Coast v St Kilda

    Extended highlights of the Suns and Saints clash in round four of the 2022 NAB AFL Women's Competition

    AFLW
  • 02:39

    AFLW RD4 | Dal Santo post-game

    Watch St Kilda's press conference after round four's match against Gold Coast

    AFLW
  • 04:39

    AFLW RD4 | Highlights v Gold Coast

    The Suns and Saints clash in round four of the 2022 NAB AFL Women's Competition

    AFLW
  • 00:34

    AFLW RD4 | Greiser soccers through much-needed major

    Caitlin Greiser sparks a late St Kilda charge with this gem

    AFLW

The lively Kalinda Howarth was also important, booting Gold Coast's first goal to finish with two majors and 22 possessions. Howarth, who is of Indigenous descent, celebrated her first goal with a special dance as the Suns wore their First Nations jumper.

Bianca Jakobsson was the Saints' leading ball-winner with 19 possessions, while key forward Caitlin Greiser slotted two goals to be St Kilda's only multiple goalkicker.

SAINTS MATCH CENTRE: View all news, stats and videos from Round 4

Ella Friend was taken to hospital post-game for an x-ray on her chest after receiving a knock, while Erin McKinnon was treated for heatstroke at the final siren.

St Kilda won its opening two games of the season, but the defeat to the Suns was its second straight loss after going down to premiership fancy Melbourne last week.

Say what?

"I thought the scoreboard was a little bit flattering to us, to be honest. I know we pushed hard with the breeze in the last quarter and put some scoreboard, a little bit of pressure on at least, but I thought the damage was done, particularly early. The Suns were really dominant, particularly around the football, I thought their contested and clearance work was really good, I thought they outspread us at times, and to put it in basics, they outworked us for the majority of the day." – St Kilda coach Nick Dal Santo

Up next

The Saints have a short turnaround with a trip to GMHBA Stadium to face Geelong on Thursday, while the Suns host Port Adelaide on Sunday next week.

GOLD COAST  1.5  2.8  5.10  5.12  (42)
ST KILDA  1.0  1.2  1.2  4.4  (28)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Howarth 2, Bohanna, Dupuy, Jones
St Kilda: Greiser 2, Matin, Shierlaw

BEST 
Gold Coast: Rowbottom, Howarth, Jones, Drennan, Watson
St Kilda: Jakobsson, Priest, Greiser, Vesely

INJURIES 
Gold Coast: Nil
St Kilda: Nil

Reports: Nil

AFLW | Round 4 v Gold Coast - Indigenous Round

22

EXPLORE