Hall pass denied as Dew calls for a lift
SUNS coach Stuart Dew says it’s unlikely he will drop Aaron Hall but warned the midfielder to lift his work rate to an AFL standard following a poor performance against Fremantle.
Dew has put Hall on notice leading into Gold Coast’s Round 4 game against West Coast on Saturday after the Tasmanian recorded just five disposals and a tackle while being tagged out of the loss to the Dockers last weekend.
But the coach said he would back Hall to bounce back and challenged him to respond.
“Hally has been tagged before,” Dew said.
“He had a really poor game and he is the first to admit that.
“There is two parts to it, our guys can help him but his work rate has to lift and get up to an AFL level.
“He was disappointing on the weekend and we’re looking for him to bounce back.
“We will see how they pull up but we will probably err on the side of backing him to respond.
“He is a senior player and we are all aware he had a poor game but he won’t be the last one to have a poor game.”
Asked if Hall needed to run harder or win more contested footy, Dew said it was “all over the above”.
“I don’t think he worked hard enough in the game, it’s as simple as that. That’s in all facets.”
Pearce Hanley will have surgery to fix his injured shoulder, with Jack Bowes set to return from suspension to replace him.
Dew revealed tall defender Max Spencer would fly to Perth to join the squad as he considers the makeup of his side for the Eagles.
Dew said the Suns would be more direct when they again played at Optus Stadium.
“We didn’t ask enough questions of Fremantle with our ball movement,” Dew said.
“We are looking for some improvement and to go a little bit more direct and not take so long to move the ball.
“(West Coast) are strong defensively and it’s been a hallmark of their game.”