In front of more than 7,000 people at a SUNS-filled Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville, the GC SUNS went on a second half rampage which saw a 53 point deficient reduce to just 13 points in the side’s loss to North Melbourne.
Speaking at his post-match media conference, McKenna told reporters while he wasn’t satisfied with the player’s first-half efforts, he believed the squad learned how to combat an attack on the scoreboard under immense pressure.
“Hopefully the boys can walk away knowing that they’re good enough to run out a side and skilful enough to fight back,” said McKenna.
“Our ability to start having some chemistry is really good; our boys down back are getting to know one another better, and I thought that Zac (Smith), Daniel (Gorringe) and Sam (Day) certainly got their hands on the ruck which allowed our midfielders to move the ball better.”
David Swallow notched up 20 disposals and kicked multiple goals in the SUNS loss to the Kangaroos, while promising small-forward Aaron Hall also impressed with 13 disposals and found the goals.
“He (Swallow) was certainly one of our solid performers tonight, and I thought Jarrod Harbrow off the stoppage was good... so I certainly saw some pleasing signs.”
The GC SUNS were the talk of the town in Townsville last week, arriving several days prior to the city’s historic NAB Cup match to hold the Club’s annual AFL Community Camp in the region.
McKenna said he hoped the match would be the foundation of a long-term partnership with the GC SUNS and the North Queensland region.
“The facilities on the gorund were fantastic, as too were the crowd support and the infrastructure of Tony Ireland Stadium,” McKenna said.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day though so hopefully the more we keep supplying football to Townsville, the more I’m sure they’ll continue to support the GC SUNS.”
