SUNS SHADED BY ONE
SUNS coach Stuart Dew says Gold Coast will be kicking themselves when they look back on a series of game-defining moments that cost them a Round 1 win over St Kilda.
A missed mark by debutant Chris Burgess and a decision by Peter Wright in the final minutes to centre the ball instead of going for goal when the Suns were a point down were among a host of missed opportunities that could have cost the team in their 13.7 (85) to 13.6 (84) loss yesterday at Marvel Stadium.
“If Chris Burgess marks it we are probably not talking about (Wright),” Dew said.
“It’s a tough shot for goal and brings the score equal, then you can start to defend. A couple of minutes is a long time so I think we will have a look, talk about these situations that come up. Ideally he goes back and kicks the goal but he is probably wary of missing and maybe it going out on the full.
“We were finishing strong. We were plus-seven inside 50s for the last quarter. We were running the game out and gave ourselves a chance to win. Always when it’s one or two points you look back on moments. We gave up a couple of easy goals late in a couple of quarters.”
It’s been 652 days since both Queensland clubs Brisbane and Gold Coast won in the same premiership round, with the drought going back to Round 12 in 2017, and it looked like it could finally end when the Suns led early.
But knee injuries to cocaptain David Swallow and developing midfielder Ben Ainsworth in the opening quarter put Gold Coast’s rotations under pressure and hampered their ability to lock the ball in the forward 50m.
The duo battled on bravely, with Swallow even putting the side in front with 10 minutes left, but it looks to have taken its toll.
Swallow was still limping post game and Ainsworth’s knee was in a brace as they wait to find out the extent of the damage.
“Our guys physically really boxed on and for Dave and Benny to play on in that situation and do what they did was really good. Dave is our captain and that’s the way he is,” Dew said.
Gold Coast will return home to Metricon Stadium to play Fremantle in Round 2 this weekend.