FALSE DAWN OR A FORCE

GOLD Coast have enjoyed a solid start to the season despite yesterday’s defeat. Tom Boswell looks at five key questions the Suns have already answered in 2019.

WILL FOURTH QUARTERS BE THEIR UNDOING?

Gold Coast unravelled in many final terms in 2018. An obvious lack of fitness was the achilles heel and their pressure style of football would drop away, allowing rivals to break down the defence down.

One of the worst lapses was in Round 13 when Gold Coast gave up a 31-point lead going into the four quarter against St Kilda who won at Metricon Stadium by two points.

HOW WILL THE CLUB COPE WITHOUT TOM LYNCH AND STEPHEN MAY?

The departure of Lynch and May was a hammer-blow; Lynch was their greatest weapon in front of goal and May a pillar in defence.

But mature-age recruit and key defender Sam Collins has been one of the Gold Coast’s best, while at the other end Peter Wright and recruit Chris Burgess have only kicked eight goals – including three for Wright yesterday – between them in the first six games.

The club has nevertheless praised both racking up big kilometres while bringing the ball to ground in contests for forwards like Alex Sexton.

DO THEY HAVE THE MIDFIELD DEPTH TO GO WITH THE BEST TEAMS?

The engine room that boasted Gary Ablett, Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia has taken a battering in recent years with all three leaving.

Current co-captain David Swallow has been an inspiration with his selflessness and ability to win the football but he needed help.

The development of Touk Miller and recruitment of Anthony Miles and George Horlin-Smith have been massive.

Combine this with the development of Brayden Fiorini, Jack Bowes, Ben Ainsworth, Darcy Macpherson, Wil Powell and shift of Jack Martin into the centre at times along with the running ability of Sexton,

the Suns have increased their depth in the area.

IS STUART DEW THE RIGHT COACH WITH THE RIGHT GAME PLAN?

Dew’s style of high-pressure footy has been evident from the start but it’s taken time for the group to get the fitness needed to produce it.

What is clear is Gold Coast should stay in games longer against the best sides. They may still struggle to match it with the biggest-bodied midfields but competitiveness is what their fans want to see.

Dew looks to have already got some respect back for the club and if he continues then Gold Coast may have finally found their long-term coach after two previous attempts.

CAN THE SUNS FINALLY RETAIN ELITE TALENT?

It’s the biggest question surrounding the Suns each year after so many of their best have walked out the door.

The club has extended the contracts of co-captains Swallow and Jarrod Witts, along with Miller and Sexton.

Martin is arguably the Suns’ greatest talent and he comes off contract this year, as do Wright, Rory Thompson, Callum Ah Chee and Sam Day.