Captain Jarrod Witts says the GC SUNS’ performances over the past six weeks has the side raring to attack the back of the home and away season with momentum.
The SUNS had won five of its past seven matches before Sunday’s disappointing defeat against Carlton, but Witts says the side’s overall body of work throughout the middle third of the season has them confident of a strong run home.
“Naturally we’re feeling a bit flat (from the weekend’s result), but we’ve watched it back and we’ll learn from it. We need to move on and we will,” Witts said.
“We started the game really well which hasn’t been a recent trend for us, and then clearly the second quarter is something we’ve addressed. There are a couple of things to work on out of there.
“Over the last five/six weeks, we’ve put in a really consistent body of work. That gives us confidence moving into the back half of the year.
“Off of that body work, that will give us the momentum to move forward.”
The SUNS next test is welcoming Hawthorn to Heritage Bank Stadium in what will be the two sides’ first meeting on the Gold Coast since 2017.
Gold Coast comprehensively won that day, seeing off the Hawks by 86 points, and will be hoping to make a bounce-back statement against an outfit who have taken a number of big scalps already this season.
“We’re in a position with a couple of months left in the home and away season so we do get the chance to turn it around and prove that it wasn’t a trend,” Witts said.
“They’re going quite well and that’s going to be a great challenge for us. It’s another good chance to see where we’re at.”
Sunday’s clash will be a long-awaited return to Heritage Bank Stadium for the SUNS, seven weeks after its last outing on the Gold Coast.
It’s the first of back-to-back home fixtures ahead of a date with Collingwood six days later, and Witts says the squad is buzzing to be back in front of its Gold Coast-based members and fans.
“You see fans in the street and everyone’s excited to get back and see us play back at Heritage Bank Stadium. We’re lucky enough to have back-to-back games there so we’re looking forward to seeing our supporters there for a couple of weekends of good footy.”
Tickets for both matches are selling fast, but can be snapped up via Ticketek here.
Gate 3 will open from 12.45pm for those wishing to support the SUNS VFL side in the curtain-raiser against Box Hill (12.55pm first bounce) before main gates open at 2.45pm.
