THE GOLD COAST SUNS have made it three wins on the trot, defeating Essendon by 41 points at Windy Hill on Sunday. 

The visitors looked composed throughout, converting their opportunities and keeping the Bombers under pressure to secure a 7.9 (51) to 1.4 (10) win. 

BOMBERS V SUNS Full match details and stats

Despite losing young key defender Mia Salisbury to a shoulder injury in the opening term, Gold Coast's defence held firm and repeatedly denied Essendon an easy route down the line.

The Suns took early control, holding the Bombers goalless across the opening half to lead by 20 points at the main break, with Essendon managing just two behinds in the second term as Gold Coast's defensive pressure continued to suffocate.

The Bombers had to wait until the third quarter for their first goal, with Emily Gough breaking through after a forward-half intercept.

Gold Coast came out firing in the final term with Anne Hatchard and Havana Harris both kicking their second goals of the game as the Suns dominated the stoppages early, winning the first three clearances of the quarter.

Essendon young gun Amy Gaylor got going after half-time with nine disposals in the third term, including several intercept marks and hard tackles that prevented the Suns' lead from getting ugly. The 21-year-old finished with 19 disposals and five clearances alongside superstar Maddy Prespakis, who collected a game-high 38 touches. 

Skipper Niamh McLaughlin was one of the Suns' biggest ball-winners with 33 disposals, while Charlie Rowbottom showed spectators at Windy Hill why she's a leading contender for the AFLW Best & Fairest medal with another outstanding performance - the 23-year-old dominating with 35 disposals, 11 clearances, seven tackles and a goal. 

Positives for the Bombers
Despite the unfavourable scoreline, there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Essendon's future. At 25 years old and averaging 32 disposals, Prespakis will be one of the league's best players for years to come. Senior coach Natalie Wood spoke glowingly of the All-Australian's impact after the game.

"She's a true competitor, true footballer. The work that she's done all season, every quarter for us this year, she's been in and under the contest, always at stoppage work and first possessions, has been really great. We haven't always been able to connect as a group and get the back of that contest work, but her work with the stoppage herself, also transition, getting forward, getting back, she's done a lot. But Maddy's worked incredibly hard, and I know that she's also immensely disappointed."

Unlike the balanced age profile of Gold Coast's emerging midfield, Prespakis is currently being asked to carry an enormous load. But with young guns like midfielder Amy Gaylor, forward Emily Gough and ruck Stephanie Wales developing around her, the pieces are all there.

Midfield power drives Suns
Gold Coast's midfield was the engine room of the victory, with Charlie Rowbottom and Niamh McLaughlin combining for 69 disposals to suffocate Essendon through the middle. Rowbottom was the catalyst, her composed clearance work in tight spaces repeatedly breaking the lines and putting the Suns on the front foot. McLaughlin complemented her perfectly with 33 touches, providing run and spread off the back of Rowbottom's contested work. Anne Hatchard's premiership experience added another dimension, drifting forward to kick two goals from 21 disposals in a performance that underlined just how lethal Gold Coast's midfield is to match up on as the season progresses.

Up next
Essendon are set to host West Coast at Windy Hill in round 7. The Suns, meanwhile, host St Kilda at People First Stadium.

ESSENDON      0.0  0.1  1.4  1.7   (10)
GOLD COAST   1.2  3.4  5.6  7.9   (51)

GOALS
Essendon: Gough
Gold Coast: Harris 2, Hatchard 2, Rowbottom, Usher, Baron

BEST:
Essendon: Prespakis, Gaylor, Nanscawen 
Gold Coast: Hatchard Rowbottom, Harris, McLaughlin 

INJURIES:
Essendon: Nil
Gold Coast: Salisbury (shoulder)

Crowd: TBC AT Windy Hill