Huge confidence boost for plucky Suns as they rise well above Swans
GOLD Coast caused arguably the upset of the AFL season to date with a spectacular defensive display to emerge victorious at the SCG over top-four candidate Sydney by 14 points on Saturday.
In a win that was inspired by two late Levi Casboult goals, it provides a big boost to under-pressure coach Stuart Dew and puts the Suns only a game outside of the eight.
For the Swans, the loss is their second in a row and is not only a dent to their top-four hopes but was a dampener on what was meant to be a day of celebration as they marked the 10year anniversary of their 2012 premiership triumph.
“It’s more about the reality of how hard the competition is. It’s tough. There are no quarters given. It’s a tough game and you can’t afford to sit back and wait and see what the opposition have got,” Swans coach John Longmire said.
The 10.15 (75) to 8.13 (61) victory is the Suns’ fourth in their past six games against Sydney, with three of them coming at the SCG as they punished the Swans’ notorious slow starts by jumping out to a 14-point lead at quarter-time and then hanging on to that margin at the final siren.
“Proud of the fight obviously, our belief has never wavered internally,” Dew said.
“It’s a bit of a shot of confidence and it’s really good to get that one, clearly.”
With scores level at three-quarter time, it was former Blue Casboult who was the hero with two final-quarter majors, which were the only goals of the last term.
But it was in defence that the Suns shone with their excellent forward pressure coming to the fore again, while little-known Connor Budarick starred at half-back in only his 20th game as he accumulated 20 disposals and took 11 marks, many of which were contested.
Sam Collins was stellar in defence as well in an absorbing battle with Buddy Franklin as he kept the Swans superstar to one goal coming off the six he kicked last week against Brisbane Lions. “He’s putting together an All-Australian year. As our vicecaptain, that’s what you’re after and he did a great job,” Dew said.