SUNS Senior Coach Stuart Dew says he was pleased with his team’s response against Carlton in Round 18.

The SUNS were coming off two big losses at home but Dew said for the club to match the Blues for the majority of the match showed the positive intent to finish the season strongly.

“Seven days ago we stood here and we were after that fight and effort and I think we gave a really good account of ourselves,” Dew said.

“But execution was one where we let ourselves down, a few two-goal turnarounds.

“In terms of the intent and care for teammates, we were really pleased with the vision.” 

Dew pointed to the side’s ability to win several statistical criteria against Carlton as signs the team was improving.

“(There were) some key indicators that showed we were willing to compete regardless of which way the score was going and that was important for us,” Dew said. 

“We won the contested ball against Carlton which has been their strength for the last month.

“We had 90 tackles which was the most for the round.

“We’re aware we need to keep working on our execution and connection but we’re really confident with some continuity and synergy that will come.”

With the SUNS taking on the seventh-placed Bombers this weekend at Metricon Stadium, Dew said it would be another test against quality opposition. 

“If we can bring our A-grade game we think we can push them for sure,” Dew said.

“We’d love to get the result as a win but as we’ve said all year it’s really important the way we go about it. 

“A by-product of that may be that we dent their chances of the eight but they’re entrenched there at the moment. 

“They’re playing good footy… so we’re looking forward to them coming up.”