Momentum name of game for Miles
RETURNING Suns midfielder Anthony Miles says arresting momentum swings against the team during games is the key to Gold Coast finding form again.
Miles is a welcome inclusion to the Suns side for today’s Round 7 game against West Coast at Perth’s Optus Stadium after missing two weeks with a corked calf.
The 27-year-old was forced to watch the Suns get thumped by Adelaide and Brisbane in consecutive weeks by a combined 122 points.
In both games Gold Coast were in the fight but once either of their opponent produced multiple goals in a short space of time the Suns fell apart. It’s an issue Miles said was a major focus as they prepared for the Eagles.
“We know footy is a game of momentum,” Miles said.
“In the last couple of weeks when sides have got a run on us we haven’t been able to slow their momentum.
“That will be a focus for us going in. To be able to recognise when we have momentum and take advantage of that and then to be able to slow them down if they have a bit of a run on is important.”
Miles said intensity at training had noticeably increased this week, something driven by the players as they look to bring back the contested side of their game that had been lacking.
“We have had more of a line focus this week and challenging each other to get each other better which has been really pleasing,” Miles said. “We were putting each other under game-like pressure.”
The ball winner hoped to inject some added grunt into a midfield that has been beaten up in the contest in both of its previous two losses.
“Hopefully I can bring my strengths to the midfield group and that’s something we prided ourselves on in the first four weeks.
“If we can certainly win it inside and be competitive in the contest, hopefully that goes a long way to getting the result for us.
“The challenge doesn’t come any bigger than the reigning premiers at home. It’s a good chance for us to bounce back.”
Mile said the connection between the midfield and the forwards was still a work in progress but the side wasn’t worried that they hadn’t kicked big totals so far this year as they focus on making the game a tight affair.
WE HAVE HAD MORE OF A LINE FOCUS THIS WEEK AND CHALLENGING EACH OTHER TO GET EACH OTHER BETTER
ANTHONY MILES