Suns fail to shine in return game

GOLD Coast is bracing for an extended period without skipper Steven May, but after Saturday’s shocker the spate of injuries is almost the least of the club’s concerns.

Coach Stuart Dew is adamant his side can bounce back but convincing the public to stick with the Suns is another matter.

Gold Coast did a great job promoting their long-awaited return to Metricon Stadium.

There were almost 2000 more fans than the club expected from ticket sales and those were members taking up their seats. By the third quarter, the members area was deserted which suggests a lot of people left at half-time.

Dew admitted after the game the club had not lived up to the occasion. The firstyear coach worked hard over summer to build strong relationships with his players knowing that when the time came to deliver a spray, they would know it came with the right intentions.

The moment arrived on Saturday night and he let rip.

While mindful of restoring the side’s battered confidence, he couldn’t let such a performance go unpunished.

“It’s always a balance but I think we tipped over the edge where they just needed to hear what it was,’’ he said.

“I didn’t think in the second quarter there was enough care for teammates. As a footy club, that is something we need to work on and show.”