A year after mauling Carlton at Etihad Stadium, Gold Coast co-captain Tom Lynch has repeated the pain.

Lynch kicked a career-best eight goals on Saturday as the Suns beat the Blues by 34 points.

The 15.11 (101) to 9.13 (67) win gives the Suns a 2-0 start under new coach Stuart Dew.

Lynch topped his seven-goal haul compiled in round four last year, also against the Blues and at the same venue.

After an encouraging round-one loss to reigning premiers Richmond, the Blues were a major disappointment.

They had enough of the ball but made too many errors.

Carlton kicked the opening two goals of the second half to trail by just 13 points but Gold Coast held their nerve and kicked clear for a convincing win.

The Suns look a different team so far under Dew and the win in Melbourne is priceless, given they are on the road for several weeks because of the Commonwealth Games.

Midfielders David Swallow and Jarryd Lyons also starred, while Sam Day was excellent.

The one negative was a likely report for Jack Bowes, who cannoned into Jacob Weitering at the start of the third term.

Weitering had a dirty day, starting at full forward and then going into defence.

The No.1 draft pick had no possessions in the first quarter – at the other end, Lynch had kicked three goals.

Lynch is this year’s big free agency story and his performance on Saturday emphasised why Victorian clubs are so keen to lure him home.

The only blight on his game was being caught twice in tackles but otherwise he was imposing.

Carlton suffered a major blow when star ruckman Matthew Kreuzer was a late withdrawal with a groin injury.

Gold Coast’s Jarrod Witts predictably had a day out, much of it against back-up Carlton ruckman Levi Casboult.

There were few highlights for the Blues, with brothers Ed and Charlie Curnow their best.

Blues small forward Jarrod Garlett would have taken mark of the year had he managed to hold the ball when he took a massive leap in the second term.