The opening game of Rodney Eade’s reign didn’t pan out according to plan against Melbourne, but after a thorough and honest assessment of their performance, Michael Rischitelli says it’s time to move on and focus on mending the broken start to 2015.
 
The veteran Gold Coast midfielder was one of his side’s best performers against the Demons, collecting 21 possessions, five clearances and two crucial goals in the third quarter to keep the SUNS in the contest.
 
Rodney Eade criticised his side’s effort and intensity following the SUNS' disappointing performance. And after a meeting with the leadership hierarchy at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday, Rischitelli explained it was important to take lessons out of the Melbourne loss and to build form on the training track.
 
“The only way to sort of get to the bottom of it is honesty to get out of the boys. We had a good thorough meeting, it’s obviously not the way we wanted to start our round one, but its done, we’ve done a review and its time to move on,” Rischitelli said.
 
“You go each week and try to play your heart out, and obviously playing against Melbourne we didn’t show any effort at all. We’re going to rectify it this week.
 
“We’ve just to get back on the horse and keep getting back to the basics now, and it started with training today. Just getting around the boys and making sure we’re going to be up and ready for this week.”
 
After narrowly falling short of a maiden finals appearance last season, the Gold Coast SUNS were thought to be within striking distance of tasting September action for the first time.

VIDEO: Two quick goals from Michael Rischitelli keeps the SUNS in touch
 
But, after a disastrous start to 2015, Eade quipped that his side was a few years off playing finals football if they continued to play with the effort and intensity displayed on Saturday. Rischitelli agreed with Eade’s comment, but suggested the SUNS can improve on an unsatisfactory first-up performance.
 
“Well obviously the results show that we’re probably not near it at the moment,” Rischitelli said.
 
“But, it’s the first game, but its probably not the greatest start or impression that you set. We just need to get back to show the effort really, we need to really show the effort.”
 
Gary Ablett’s shoulder has been forensically analysed in every major paper across the nation and the questions haven’t stopped after his return game. The SUNS captain had his reconstructed shoulder vigorously tested throughout the day and appeared to be conscious of it during the game.
 
The dual Brownlow medallist will undoubtedly require some time to regain full confidence and touch after such a long injury lay off, but Rischitelli revealed he could have received a bit more protection than he did.
 
“We always knew Gaz was going to get targeted whether he was playing midfielder, forward, its just one of those things,” Rischitelli said.
 
“We probably could have helped him out a little bit more, but we knew that he was going to be targeted. He’s pulled up pretty well, we’ll be looking after him a little bit more.”