CHARLIE Dixon came of age and stole the show as Gold Coast eclipsed Greater Western Sydney by 44 points at StarTrak Oval on Saturday.

Dixon, spending time both in the ruck and up forward, booted 6.2 as the Suns won a shootout between the AFL's expansion sides, 21.22 (148) to 16.8 (104).

The 22-year-old's haul was the greatest individual effort by a Gold Coast player, bettering Nathan Krakouer's 5.1 in the inaugural QClash with the Brisbane Lions.

When the Queensland product popped through his sixth goal halfway through the final quarter from a difficult position, it extended the visitors' lead to 25 points and finally snuffed out GWS's resistance.

Dixon's haul was one of four records to fall for the Suns, who recorded their second win of the year.

The visitors booted their highest score and posted their greatest winning margin, while the 7.8 (second quarter) and 8.4 (fourth quarter) represented their two best terms ever.

As usual, Gary Ablett was no slouch and finished with 32 possessions and three goals, despite tallying just two disposals in the third quarter when he spent most of the time in the forward line.

Jaeger O'Meara (14 contested possessions and a game-high 11 clearances) was also outstanding for Gold Coast, while Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith and Callan Ward worked tirelessly in the middle for the Giants.

The match was locked up at 21 points apiece at quarter-time, but Gold Coast took control after the first break.

The Suns led by 37 points midway through the second term, only for the Giants to fight back and reduce their buffer to 25 points at half-time.

GWS trailed by only seven points early in the third quarter, but couldn't continue its resurgence in the decisive final quarter.

GWS embarrassed the Suns in the corresponding fixture last year, the first AFL clash between the expansion sides resulting in the Giants' maiden AFL win after a terrible final-quarter fadeout from Gold Coast.

This time around, fast-finishing Gold Coast looked too strong up forward and too smart with the ball in hand and it was only inaccurate kicking that prevented a genuine thumping.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     3.3     7.4       12.6       16.8 (104)
GOLD COAST                                     3.3    10.11   13.18     21.22 (148)
  
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 3, O'hAilpin 3, Smith 3, Palmer 2, Coniglio, Shiel, Scully, Tomlinson, Bugg
Gold Coast: Dixon 6, Smith 3, O'Meara 3, Ablett 3, Lynch 2, Prestia, May, Stanley, Brennan

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Ward, Smith, Palmer, Shiel, Cameron, O'hAilpin
Gold Coast: Dixon, O'Meara, Ablett, Shaw, Lynch, Harbrow, Smith

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Greater Western Sydney: Tom Bugg replaced Adam Tomlinson (tactical) at three-quarter time
Gold Coast: Jack Hutchins replaced Aaron Hall (tactical) during the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Schmitt, Armstrong, Mitchell

Official crowd: 6,832 at StarTrack Oval Canberra
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs