ON A RED letter day for Gold Coast, the Suns not only thumped St Kilda to snap a 10-game losing streak, but also oversaw the successful return of star midfielder Jaeger O'Meara in the reserves.

While the Suns' convincing 15.18 (108) to 8.20 (68) victory was a great relief for the club, the sight of O'Meara storming around in the NEAFL was the real triumph of the day.

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After 15 months out with a ruptured patella tendon, O'Meara had 15 touches in his one half of action and was beaming post-match following his polished comeback.

The senior team ensured it was a day to remember in a tough season for Rodney Eade's men. 

With quality players returning from injury by the week, the Suns jumped from the blocks and were never troubled.

"It was an exceptional day," Eade said post-match.

"It's a small step for him (O'Meara), but I think it's more exciting for him the fact he is able to get out there after 18 months off. 

"I think it's (winning) reward for effort for the previous two games that we should have, could have won.

"There's nothing like getting the four points."

From the moment Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt fired off an errant handpass in his own goalsquare that ended in Touk Miller's opening goal of the match, the Saints were on the back foot.

Five talking points: Gold Coast v St Kilda

Only a hamstring injury to Matt Rosa – his second for the season – put a dampener on the Suns' day.

Michael Rischitelli (32 disposals), Aaron Hall (27 and two goals) and Dion Prestia (26 and two goals) were prolific in the midfield, while Nick Malceski (30) played his best game for the club.

Peter Wright kicked three goals, while Tom Lynch was again a handful in the forward line, finishing with 20 disposals and 14 marks, but poor kicking stopped him from having a monster day (1.4 and one out on the full).

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Coming off a huge upset over Geelong last week, the Saints were flat.

"What last week does, and rightfully so, is raises expectations - internally, externally - and so it should," Saints coach Alan Richardson said.

"Your expectation rises but our job is to provide clarity for what it is we do, why it is we achieved that performance and we didn't get that done.

"There's no doubt that's disappointing."

Young forward Paddy McCartin received his third concussion for the season in the opening term and did not return.

Riewoldt was brave like usual with his 21 disposals, but his errant kicking (0.5) summed up the Saints' dirty day.

Gold Coast looked a different team with the return of Jack Martin (back), Kade Kolodjashnij (concussion) and Callum Ah Chee (calf) from injury.

All three had a significant impact, with Martin composed in defence.

Gold Coast dominated possession and moved the ball more crisply than they have in a long time.

MEDICAL ROOM
Gold Coast: Matt Rosa's hamstring injury looks like a minor one, but he'll likely miss a few weeks. The good news is it's not the same hamstring that cost him three matches earlier this year, but that's little consolation for the former Eagle. "He said he probably could have kept going if we'd strapped it, but it's just not worth it," coach Rodney Eade said. 

St Kilda: Young forward Paddy McCartin was taken off with concussion for the third time this season, but coach Alan Richardson was reluctant to speculate on the severity. In fact, he said it could be "minor" but testing would determine that through the week.

NEXT UP
Gold Coast will look to back up its win with a victory over arch-rivals the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium next Saturday. It should be a fiery encounter after the Lions won the earlier season QClash that will be remembered for Steven May's hit on Stefan Martin. St Kilda plays Essendon on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Suns enforcer Steven May gets to know Saint Maverick Weller. Picture: AFL Media

GOLD COAST        5.5       9.12      13.15     15.18     (108)
ST KILDA                3.1       4.5        5.13       8. 20      (68)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Wright 3, Hall 2, Prestia 2, Matera 2,Ablett, Ah Chee, Davis, Lynch, Malceski, Miller
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Newnes 2, Gresham, Lonie, Weller, Bruce 

BEST 
Gold Coast: Rischitelli, Wright, Lynch, Harbrow, Martin, May, Malceski, Thompson
St Kilda: Montagna, Riewoldt, Steven

INJURIES 
Gold Coast: Rosa (hamstring)
St Kilda: McCartin (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Bannister, Stephen, Ryan

Official crowd: 14,071 at Metricon Stadium