CAPTAIN Gary Ablett has praised his player’s sustained four quarter effort to grind their way back into the contest that saw the GC SUNS overcome a 5-point half-time deficient to celebrate a 32-point win against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium.

The GC SUNS lived up to their team moniker of “fight, fight, fight” – with the Gold Coast turning up the heat midway through the third quarter to kick a resounding seven-goal haul to open a margin that would prove too wide for the interstate visitors to chase down.  

While the club’s superstar midfielder finished with 31 disposals, but clearly lifted the efforts from his teammates as emerging stars Jaeger O’Meara (25 touches), Dion Prestia (22 touches) and Trent McKenzie (21 touches) also made a significant impact with the football for the afternoon.

But with the side having had only six days to recover after their maiden MCG victory against Melbourne before their much-anticipated clash against the Bulldogs, Ablett voiced his pride in the winning change-rooms after the side secured consecutive victories for the first time in the club history.

“It’s obviously great to win back-to-back matches, especially coming off a 6-day break,” Ablett said.

“The boys were pretty sore after last week but we made sure we recovered well because we had a great opportunity against the Bulldog’s.

“It’s great to have come away with the win.”

The Gold Coast had all of the 13,520 spectator in attendance on the edge of their seats, but the renewed belief and confidence around the club had Ablett convinced his charges could rise to the occasion and secure the premiership points.

“There were time we’re we just had to work our way back into it and keep grinding, and we did that – so it was a great effort by our boys,” said Ablett.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Gold Coast next weekend, with the side set to board a flight south to take on flag favourite Hawthorn, who will be determined to back up their efforts against the SUNS after dismantling the GWS Giants in their 83-point demolition at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.

But there’s a different vibe in the air around the training facilities at Metricon Stadium, and Ablett said the side will be mentally and physically prepare to take on the top-of-the-ladder heavyweights when the two AFL rivals collide at the MCG this weekend.

“We certainly take confidence out of any game, but obviously gain a lot from a win,” said Ablett.

“We’ll jump into our recovery program, hit the ice baths, train well and will prepare ourselves best we can for Hawthorn.