TALENT A DIRTY WORD AMID SUNS REBUILD
STEVEN May says talent isn’t a word uttered by the Gold Coast Suns anymore.
Not because it isn’t there – they still believe they have ample of it. May says they have come to realise it isn’t the magic pill that will deliver success at the Gold Coast.
The co-captain has been at the Suns from their foundation and has watched each season mirror the last.
What begins as bold optimism about their potential for finals in the pre-season turns south quickly soon after the first bounce of the premiership season.
May said talent hadn’t lifted the club to success and put the emphasis on the team finding a solution elsewhere.
“We do start like that every year (with optimism) but we haven’t had a great season yet,” May said.
“It is tough, we try not to use that word ‘talent’ anymore.
“I think it’s pretty obvious with our list (that is there) but it doesn’t get you as far as we thought. There’s a lot of hard work that goes into winning one game of AFL.”
Gold Coast finished 17th in their first two seasons, improved to 14th in 2013 and looked destined for the finals in 2014 before an injury to Gary Ablett ultimately led to a 12th place in what cost coach Guy McKenna his job.
Rodney Eade took the team to 16th, 15th and 17th between 2015-17 before also being sacked after three years of major injuries at the club.
May said dominance without ball in hand could be the missing link to turn Gold Coast’s fortunes around under new coach Stuart Dew.
“The meetings around our team defence; that’s where our growth is going to come,” May said.
“To a fan base it’s hard to sell team defence; it’s not what they come to watch but ultimately wins will come from that.
“(In the) back half of the season when we get some home games and we come home with a wet sail, who knows.”
Dew said he planned to sit the group down to deliver his early views and set out the expected standards.
“We’re integrating the two groups (this week), get in and get settled to see how they are physically,” Dew said.
“After that … be really clear on what’s expected.”