Hapless Suns to look at player headspace
AT a time when the AFL has lost a coach and another is about the have his whole football department reviewed, Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew is not hiding behind another disappointing performance from his Suns.
Dew labelled the 27-point loss to Fremantle in Perth on Saturday afternoon as their most disappointing for the year.
He said some there needed to be in some honest conversations after the side failed to carry any momentum from
their 37-point win against Hawthorn before the bye.
“Although the margin is what it is, it’s up with the most frustrating for us,” Dew said.
“Inconsistent results …. Come out and play well against Hawthorn and then to do that; we didn’t give ourselves a chance.
“The 19 shots to 12 probably flatters us really.
“It’s as disappointing a game for us for the year.
“The look, the visual of our players ... we didn’t look hungry enough. We have to cop that. We didn’t make Fremantle earn that victory anywhere near as much as they should have.
“We have to wear that whack. We need to review what was our mindset, which is hard because we need guys to be honest and vulnerable in that. What was their mindset coming in against this club (Dockers), coming off the bye after a win?”
Dew said while the performance in Perth was poor, they have shown they can dish up better performances than what they did.
But it’s not a good look when trailing at eight points at half-time and nine players had not laid a tackle in the game.
One player who will be given time to re-find his touch is Matt Rowell.
The 19-year-old, with big expectations on him after his first four games, made his first appearance since injuring his shoulder in Round 1.
He got through, with 14 possessions, three tackles and three clearances.
Dew said Rowell’s successful return was the one good thing to come out of the game.
“He’s gonna be better for the run. He’s an important player for us,” Dew said.
“There is no pressure to get back to best on ground and kick two or three goals right now. But we think he is good enough to play his role.
“For him to get through the game, if there is one thing that puts a smile on our face.”