Suns’ Dew likes effort not talent

THE word talent has been banned at the Suns.

From the day Gold Coast entered the competition with a stockpile of the best teenage footballers in the country the word has been kicked to death in any discussions about the Suns. You won’t hear it from new coach Stuart Dew.

“I’m effort based,’’ he said. “A lot of guys have got talent but if you don’t bring effort, well it is a waste of time. So I don’t use that word.’’

Now into their eighth year, with their third coach and Gary Ablett following the wellbeaten path back to Melbourne, they are back at square one. The club will be without a home for the opening part of the year because of the Commonwealth Games and the biggest story once again surrounds the future of one of their biggest stars – this time it’s out-of-contract captain Tom Lynch. But Dew says the past need not have any bearing on the future.

“I have tried to give everyone a fresh look,’’ he said.

“I want to make up my own mind. It is easy to look back at the past and get bogged down in that.’’

The most noticeable difference at the Suns this year is how happy the players are. They love the coach.

When former coach Rodney Eade arrived he decided the club needed a firm hand to improve professional standards and there is little doubt he made inroads. But Dew has opted to build relationships first and in the process try to restore battered confidences.

“If ... you come in straight away with the one wood I don’t think it is effective,” he said.