SECOND ON THE TROT
SUNS WIN ANOTHER NAILBITER
THEY have surprised the AFL but Suns coach Stuart Dew says he is not the least bit surprised by his side’s start to the season.
Coming off a four-win 2018 season, the Suns recorded a one-point loss to St Kilda in Round 1 but have gone on to beat Fremantle (by three points), and now Western Bulldogs (five points) at Marvel Stadium yesterday, in a trio of thrillers to start the season.
“Three tight games. It’s not good for the blood pressure but it’s good for our members and supporters knowing they can even come and watch us at Metricon or watch on TV and know they’ve got a group that will fight it out,” Dew said.
“We’re really happy with our consistency. We’ve been in every game and that’s allowed us to tick over two wins, so given the summer and the application and the want and desire, we’re around the mark where we thought we would be internally and I think that’s our main focus.”
While beaten 30-44 in the clearance count, Dew praised his midfield group of Jack Bowes, Brayden Fiorini and Touk Miller against the Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership onball brigade of Marcus Bontempelli, Jackson Macrae, Lachie Hunter, Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore.
“The side we played today, over half the team are premiership players,” Dew said.
“We know the Bulldogs had beaten Hawthorn and Sydney, so a couple of really strong organisations, and to do it away is important for us as well.
“(We’re) trying to lay a strong foundation for consistent footy, which is the most important part because we could be 3-0 or we could be 0-3, but the main part for us is the competitiveness and fight and heart when the game’s on the line.”
Gold Coast are becoming know as the cardiac kids after yesterday’s 10.13 (73) to 9.14 (68) win
The Suns led from the start yesterday and held on grimly as the Bulldogs kicked the last two goals of the match.
After kicking a goal earlier in the final term, Billy Gowers had a set shot with a minute 20 seconds left to tie the scores but the kick from a 45degree angle went wide and it was the Bulldogs’ last score.