Essendon VFL fell to Gold Coast in a 14-point loss at the NEC Hangar on Saturday afternoon.

The Dons started in rejuvenated fashion after a lengthy layoff from the bye and they certainly showed it in the early stages, bursting out of the blocks to take a 22-point lead at the first break.

Archer Day-Wicks was lively with two goals in that opening term, while Alwyn Davey Jnr, Kayle Gerreyn and Matt Guelfi all made scoreboard impact early.

The Bombers had to respond to a SUNS' challenge in the second quarter, with the away side gathering some momentum from the efforts of forward Jy Farrar.

Guelfi and Davey Jnr each added to their tallies to keep the side afloat heading into half-time, holding onto a 10-point lead.

The SUNS gained ascendancy early in the third term with three unanswered goals in the opening five minutes, but back-to-back majors from Lachie Monteath and Liam McMahon looked to settle the Bombers.

When McMahon took a brilliant hanger right on the behind line from a missed Day-Wicks attempt and snapped truly, the Dons had worked their way right back in.

Ultimately, it was Gold Coast who took advantage of the scoring end in the last quarter, holding up the Bombers' run-and-carry for a large portion of the term.

With the SUNS booting the first three of the quarter and locking the contest away, late goals to Oskar Smartt and Jye Menzie proved only a consolation for the Dons, who've now lost their last six games this season.

Elijah Tsatas was a solid contributor in the clinches, racking up 34 disposals and 13 clearances, while Vigo Visentini (15 touches, 49 hit-outs) was combative in the ruck all day.

Finding his feet in his first game back from a hamstring injury, Saad El-Hawli showed good signs as he worked into the contest well, finishing with 20 disposals.

Essendon VFL next face ladder-leaders Box Hill away next Saturday.

ESSENDON    5.3   7.5   10.8   13.8  (86)
GOLD COAST      1.5   5.8   10.11   14.16  (100)

GOALS
McMahon 2, Guelfi 2, Day-Wicks 2, Davey Jnr 2, Smartt, Monteath, Menzie, Gerreyn, Unwin

BEST
Visentini, Tsatas, Sellers, Day-Wicks, El-Hawli