Suns have bottomed out: Downie
SUNS co-founder Graeme Downie says Gold Coast have bottomed out and could be left struggling to convince perspective coaches to take on the job after an abysmal final game.
The Suns were embarrassed for a second time this season by Port Adelaide on Saturday night, going down 20.15 (135) to 3.2 (20) to limp into the offseason in second last on the ladder.
It was the lowest score Gold Coast have recorded in their seven-year history in the AFL competition and amazingly included scoreless second and third quarters.
Downie struggled for words when describing the abhorrent recent performance of the team from the club he helped create.
“It was a very second-rate performance,” Downie said.
“Most people who have any love or affinity for the Suns would have struggled to watch it. “It was an aberration from a very inexperienced side. They have obviously bottomed out and there is only one way to go now and that’s back up.”
Downie said it may have been enough to turn some potential new coaches off taking on one of the biggest challenges in the AFL.
“I don’t think it would help. Any perspective coach would want a strong assurance from the board that he is going to be given enough time and scope to make the changes he needs to make,” he said.
“(Former coach Rodney Eade) was given three years but really the first couple of years were spoiled by injury. Even this year wasn’t great with injury.
“They haven’t shown much improvement since Rocket (Eade) left.
“You judge coaches on wins and losses and at the end of the day that is right.
“But you have to get the basics right first before you can judge people on wins and losses and the basics don’t seem to be right.”
Gold Coast finished the season with a record of 6-16, the same as 2016 where they finished 15th.