Atonement has Pies in the Coast’s crosshairs

THE Gold Coast playing group have promised to bring their A-game tonight against Collingwood to wipe away the ignominy of last week’s loss to Essendon.

The Suns were listless and well beaten last Sunday, becoming just the second AFL side to succumb to the Bombers in their horror year.

After a fine month leading many to believe Gold Coast had turned a corner, it was a performance which put them right back where they started.

Touk Miller, the Suns’ standout in the loss, said the players were determined to prove the performance was an aberration and not a reversion to the mean.

“We’re going to go in there against Collingwood with a full head of steam,” Miller said.

“(Against Essendon) we just felt it was going to happen for us. Rolling down to Melbourne with a couple of really good games, playing solid footy ... but that is always going to happen in footy if that’s (the mindset) you come with.”

Miller’s workrate was evident against the Bombers and he was singled out by coach Rodney Eade after the match as one who “worked both ways”, gathering 39 touches and a goal.

It’s been a career-defining month for the 20-year-old, who has averaged 27 touches and seven tackles over his past six games. It’s why Eade guaranteed him a starting position in the midfield for round one next season. Miller said he has chuffed. “My main focus after I got to the club after getting the respect of the players was to work into that midfield.”

Collingwood has made one change, recalling Ben Crocker for Taylor Adams (ankle), who won’t play again this season.

At Etihad tonight, both sides have the chance to break unwanted streaks at the venue.

Neither has won there in two years and the Suns will be hoping their three-pronged attack of Tom Lynch, Sam Day and “two-metre” Peter Wright can bear fruit.

“I live with Pete and he’s doing fantastic and between him, Daysie and Lynchy, they’re working really well,” Miller said.