Gritty defeat gives hope to fans, players
SUNS captain David Swallow says the perception of the team is starting to match the internal belief of the players.
Gold Coast took it up to league leaders Geelong for over three quarters before the Cats found a way to win by 27 points at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
Gone are the days when the Suns were the punching bag of the AFL. They have been replaced by a team that has captured the hearts and minds of supporters, while rival sides are made to work for every ball won and point scored.
Swallow said he could sense the shift 10 rounds in to a season in which they have been competitive in all but two games, a 73-point loss to Adelaide and a 49-point loss to Brisbane in consecutive weeks.
“It will take time but that’s ultimately what we want to do, build respect in the competition,” Swallow said.
“If we keep playing like that for longer periods of the game then I certainly think we will be able to attain that.”
The players were crushed after their one-point loss to Melbourne at home a fortnight ago, the rooms deathly quiet.
But despite the margin being greater on Saturday, the mood couldn’t have been more different. There was clear disappointment but it was quelled by a sense that more steps forward had been taken.
“We know we can compete, they are a good side Geelong and for the majority of the game we felt like we were able to have some sort of control of the game,” Swallow said.
“We didn’t get the result but there are certainly some encouraging signs there.
“Belief is certainly building. We need to keep looking at ways we can add a bit more polish to the game. It’s a young group and we are always learning. I’m pretty proud of the boys.”
Swallow is the club’s inaugural draft pick and has bought in to each system, brought in by Guy McKenna and then Rodney Eade.
Now under his third mentor, Swallow said every player was enjoying the hard-nosed style of football delivered by Stuart Dew.
“I’m enjoying it, I love what Dewy brings. I think all the players are enjoying the style we want to play and I think we are building that belief in the group. We just have to be consistent and have a crack,” he said.