Gold Coast SUNS coach Stuart Dew says he’s had just one simple message to his playing group after their historic win over Sydney in Round 18; don’t let the standards slip.

The SUNS played their best match for the year to get their maiden win over the Swans in a huge upset, but have already changed gears to focus on registering their first win at home for the year.

“There’s evidence that we’re really capable and I don’t think we had any stars but we had no passengers so I really think that message was the one for Monday,” Dew told the media on Wednesday.

“(It’s) about backing it up and not thinking that we’ve got there or now we’ve done it.

“It’s a really, really small step but an important one for the footy club and came at the right time.”

When asked whether Saturday’s victory injected the group with much-needed confidence going into the match against Carlton, Dew was adamant that it was actions which get results.

“You can talk about confidence a lot but… we were missing our top five best and fairest from last year and still were able to get the result,” Dew said.

“(We’re) giving the players some ownership around their performance and understanding that we’re asking them to do things they’re capable of doing and then delivering.

“I think for the players themselves (it’s about) just that sharing the load and the weight of numbers and what’s capable when that clicks.”

Dew said the side has been confident going into almost every game this year but hadn’t been able to get over the line. 

The SUNS have shown positive signs in small patches through the year, but Saturday’s game was the first time they were able to put it all together in one complete performance.

“This week just presents a great opportunity on the back of last week to keep that momentum,” Dew said.

“You know it’s another home game for us, which we haven’t had a lot this year so we’re really keen to give a competitive showing and get the result.

“We know Carlton are coming with their best, everyone does so we’ll prepare for their best and make sure we’re not still living in the past.”