Geelong has fallen to a new-look Suns' 17.20 (122) to 7.12 (54) at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

The Suns handled the slippery conditions better throughout the contest, leading at every change.

Alex Sexton (six goals) dined out on the work of his midfielders with some typically opportunistic finishing, while Darcy Macpherson (31 touches and six tackles) was arguably best afield.

Two-time Richmond premiership player Brandon Ellis (22) added pace to a team that looked considerably quicker than 2019, while Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson looked right at home in their first official match against mature midfield bodies.

It was a rough night for Geelong, with former Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett (eight touches) rarely sighted in what was likely to be his last game at Metricon Stadium.

Quinton Narkle (26 touches and six tackles) was the Cats best four quarter performer. While Tom Atkins (22 touches) and Jordan Clark (19 touches) battled hard throughout the night. 

Assistant Coach Corey Enright said Geelong was not overly concerned by its performance against the Suns, with the Cats missing a number of players and tinkering with positions – including sending Patrick Dangerfield forward for much of the night – to expose youngsters.

"We'd like to play a bit better next time we take the field, no doubt," he said.

"We have to get back to working hard and working together.

"We've got time and we've got faith in what we're about and where we're going to go.

"Patty is a pretty influential figure inside the centre bounces and around the stoppages.

"Without him we obviously look a different team, but it was great to see some of those (younger) guys in there, and there was some really good things, but there's a lot to work on as well."

Meanwhile, Geelong is set to be bolstered by the return of its skipper Joel Selwood for its final Marsh Community Series match against Essendon on March 9.

Enright said Selwood's recovery from hamstring surgery was progressing well.

"With the two weeks now he can really benefit and get a hard (training) block in," Enright said.

"We think he'll play some minutes in that game, along with potentially a few other guys that are well into their preparation we'd like to see again."

New faces

Gold Coast: Aside from Rowell, Ellis, Budarick and Anderson, there was plenty of other first-time Suns that impressed. Jeremy Sharpe came on only after half-time but made the most of his opportunity, gathering nine disposals, four marks and a long-range goal from the wing. The teenage West Australian is a fringe first round candidate, but looked at home at the top level. Former Crow Hugh Greenwood spent most of his time onball and excelled, collecting 25 touches and laying nine tackles. Zac Smith also made an impact in his first game back in Suns colours, deputising superbly in the absence of skipper Jarrod Witts to finish with 28 hit-outs and five clearances from his 12 disposals.

Geelong: It was a rough night for the Cats and that included its first-time players.  Former Crow Josh Jenkins struggled with limited ball going forward, registering just 11 disposals, which included some small minutes as a back-up ruck. No.16 draft pick Cooper Stephens (12) had some moments in the midfield, while rookie draft pick Brad Close (12) faded from the game after a good first half.

Fantasy watch

Hugh Greenwood (MID/FWD, $581,000) costs a bit, but against the Cats he showed he's up to it. Playing mainly in the middle, the former Adelaide tough-nut tallied 25 touches and just as importantly added nine tackles. He was also energetic in his time forward.

Tom Atkins (FWD, $395,000) might be a nice option after he shone in a forward/midfield role. Although his minutes in the middle will decrease once Patrick Dangerfield and co return onball, Atkins laid six tackles and kicked a goal to go with his 22 disposals in a well-rounded outing.

Next up

Gold Coast travels to Adelaide to play the Crows at Flinders University Stadium on Friday, March 6 at 4.20pm (ACST), while Geelong's final pre-season hit-out will be against Essendon at Central Reserve in Colac on Monday, March 9 at 4.40pm (AEDT).

GOLD COAST   3.2       7.9       12.15    17.20 (122)
GEELONG       1.5       3.7       4.10    7.12 (54)

GOALS
Gold Coast: Sexton 6, King 2, Day 2, Sharp, Anderson, Ainsworth, Lemmens, Wright, Swallow, Budarick
Geelong: Rohan 3, Ratugolea, Atkins, Parson, Miers

BEST 
Gold Coast: Macpherson, Sexton, Ainsworth, Brodie, Bowes, Miller, Rowell
Geelong: Atkins, Tuohy, Narkle, Clark

INJURIES 
Gold Coast: Nil
Geelong: Nil
Reports: Nil
Crowd: 5903 at Metricon Stadium