Gold Coast isn't kidding itself with one pre-season win, but midfielder Aaron Hall says there's an "infectious" feeling about coach Stuart Dew's new game plan.
The SUNS easily accounted for Geelong in Townsville on Sunday, basing their 56-point JLT Community Series win on defensive pressure and hard two-way running.
Those traits that haven't always characterised Gold Coast's play in its seven-year history, but Hall says they've now set a new benchmark.
"It doesn't matter who you're playing, if you can bring that pressure, then we can then bring our offensive movement going forward, we can do some damage," Hall said.
"It's what Dewy's brought in, that high pressure, getting after the opposition and forcing them to turn it over.
"On the weekend our small forwards were immense in that, and it's infectious from there."
Hall said the SUNS were under "no illusions" about their win over a Cats team minus Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Gary Ablett, among others.
However, the SUNS impressed, winning the tackle count 75-61 and forcing Geelong into numerous skill errors with their pressure.
Nick Holman (eight), Jack Martin (seven), Jesse Joyce (six) and Hall (six) led the tackling in Dew's first match in charge.
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"We've really worked on doing it as a team, having a method, rather than getting after the opposition and chasing and chasing but having no method," Hall said.
"Making sure guys are in the right position at the right time."
The one negative for the SUNS was a late hamstring injury suffered by Sean Lemmens.
The club is waiting on results after the lively small forward had it scanned on Tuesday.
Gold Coast plays Brisbane at Southport on
