There were 2,408 long days between Ryan Davis’ round one debut for the SUNS and his previous AFL game, which came in 2009 for the West Coast Eagles.
The 26-year-old has been brought into Gold Coast’s forward line with a specific role in mind, providing intense pressure inside the front half in order to force turnovers and ultimately impact the scoreboard.
The feedback from the coaches has been very positive and if the SUNS can maintain their effort and forward pressure, Davis believes the sky is the limit.
“It’s been good. We’ve certainly started the year the way we wanted to and we’ve been bringing our style of play and our pressure to every game so far,” Davis told SUNS TV.
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“I think we’re pretty high in the competition on our forward pressure so if we just keep maintaining that.
“It’s a long year obviously but we keep maintaining that and we’ll go a long way into the finals.”
After playing six games at Subiaco Oval as an Eagle across 2008-2009, Davis returned for the first time in opposition colours and was thrilled to leave Domain Stadium with a win.
“Great to get the win. Huge task Freo at home with 40,000 screaming fans,” he said.
“To quieten them down in the game was pretty important and we did that quite well.”
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The mature-aged rookie was equally as ecstatic to have contributed with two goals for his side on Saturday night.
“Yeah a couple of ‘snaggers’ for the boys, it was good,” Davis said.
“Just finished off one from the goalsquare so it was pretty handy.”