REBOUNDING specialist Trent McKenzie says the team’s 48-point loss was not a true reflection of the spirited effort shown by the much-improved Gold Coasters.

“They got off to a good start and I suppose we were on the backfoot early but we stuck with them for three quarters which was a pretty good effort,” McKenzie told goldcoastfc.com.au.

Despite a heavy injury toll, the GCSUNS continue to show tremendous fight and courage around the contested stoppages – managing to reduce a 22-point half-time deficit to just ten points before the Bombers rallied to blow the scoreboard margin beyond reach.

Young gun Jaeger O’Meara, who once again showed his class and composure by finishing with a second-best 30 disposals behind Gary Ablett, said the Bomber’s continued entries inside-50 (Bombers 59, SUNS 45) proved catastrophic for the team’s back six.

“We challenged them a little bit but they were just too good for us in the end,” O’Meara said.

“We turned it over a few times and they paid us pay on the scoreboard, and eventually we couldn’t quite stop them.”

While the GC SUNS eventually fell to Bombers weight of supply around goals, O’Meara credited Rory Thompson’s second-half performance on Joe Daniher - keeping the Bomber’s prized recruit scoreless after the major break.

“Rory Thompson to defend that quick throughout the entire match was impressive,” he said.

McKenzie believes the loss would fuel the playing group to return with a greater hunger after the mid-season break.

“The boys really hung in there.”

“We’ve shown we can match it with the top sides so were going to have to do that towards the end of the year,” McKenzie said.

“We have some winnable games coming up and if we can take some of that first-half form into the back end of the season then we’ll give ourselves a great chance to compete after the bye round.”