The SUNS leadership team found a new level in the round seven win over Geelong on Saturday night.
In their third win for the season Gold Coast had men around the ball, intent and pressure across the field and managed to swing momentum back in their favour every time the Cats came for them.
After being rested in round six David Swallow was a ball-hunting beast, with 20 of his 23 possessions contested plus 10 clearances and a goal.
Swallow spoke with SUNS TV post-match and credited the team’s ability to maintain their focus for four quarters of footy.
“We had a couple of key focuses during the game, based around contested ball and transitioning into defence really quickly,” Swallow said.
“When Geelong were coming at us we were letting ourselves down in that contested area so I think once we wrestled back momentum and started to win the ball ourselves we were able to get the scores on the board.
Despite another outstanding individual performance by the 24-year-old Swallow credited the win to an overall team effort.
“We had contributors all over the ground,” Swallow said.
“That’s going to be where our real growth comes from, when all our boys are contributing each week and playing a real role for the team.
“Great effort, they really started to come at us in that third and fourth quarter, they boys were able to respond every time that they came at us.
“Hopefully it’s a game we can really build on with confidence for the rest of the year.”
Despite watching on from the grandstands nursing a hamstring injury for the last two weeks, Steven May returned to the backline with aplomb.
His influence and leadership for Gold Coast is immeasurable, with Senior Coach Rodney Eade saying the match was the best he’d seen from May this season.
“I thought really as a leader he held the defence exceptionally well,” Eade told reporters post-match.
Swallow echoed Eade, saying having the captain on field was a vital part of the Gold Coast’s DNA.
“He’s vital for our team,” Swallow said.
“He just brings a cool head down back for all our young defenders.
“His attack on the contest, he’s one of the best defenders in the game.”
Attention now turns quickly to the historic match in Shanghai on May 14.
With an international flight on the horizon the SUNS narrow their focus to recovery and ensuring they’re mentally and physically prepared for Shanghai.
“We’re just going to have to recover as best we can this week,” said Swallow.
“It’s going to be a first for all of us but the boys are going to have a real good attitude going over there.
“It’s going to be interesting playing for four points, we’ve just got to take the same mindset of really attacking the contest and give it our best shot against Port.”
