For many in the SUNS camp, it very much felt like the game that got away.

Despite missing some key players for the nail-biting loss to the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, Callum Ah Chee feels that the team competed strongly and could have come away with the win.

The lead changed ten times through the match, before the Dogs finally edged in front towards the end of the final term.

“Disappointing obviously, they just kept coming at us,” Ah Chee said.

“We needed to come at them that last quarter and they got a hold of us unfortunately.

“I thought we went well, obviously it’s pretty hard having those boys out of the team, but I thought everyone stepped up.”

The Gold Coast utility was making his first appearance of the season, having recovered from a hamstring injury, and was a notable presence in the back half of the ground.

Ah Chee hardly missed a beat as he finished the game with 17 disposals and five marks – four of which were from opposition kicks.

“I thought I kept up with the pace of the game which is good, I’ve obviously been out for a bit. 

“It was great to take the opportunity and I loved it back there, so the boys were really good in helping me out, so I enjoyed it.

The SUNS fielded a couple of debutants in Charlie Ballard and Academy graduate Brayden Crossley, who both impressed during stages of the game.

Only a few short years ago, Ah Chee was in a similar position and was pleased with how they performed.

“It’s great to see, obviously I was there a few years ago. It’s great they both stepped up and played really well and their contest was really good. 

“It’s even better for them to kick their first goals, we saw all the boys get around them, it just gives a little bit more to the group, so well done to those boys.”