SUNS determined to bounce back after disappointing Port performance
Guy McKenna has urged his charges to follow the lead of four game player Jaeger O’Meara after the Gold Coast SUNS were left to lament another second quarter capitulation, this time against Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.
“We probably needed another two or three Jaeger’s running around to stem the flow,” McKenna said.
While O’Meara is still adjusting to life in the AFL, the SUNS coaching staff will be hoping that his enthusiasm is contagious as they look to put the Power performance behind them and look forward to the next challenge.
The nineteen year old saying the GC SUNS had just seven days to address their second quarter lapses.
“We beat them in the first quarter and then we just had a lapse and they ended up scoring 43 points to our 7 so we cant afford to have lapses because it hurts us and we were definitely in the game up until that point so we need to stop having those lapses.”
“We won’t dwell on this game too long, tomorrow is a new day so we’ll look forward to taking on GWS in Canberra,” said O’Meara.
It was a more competitive performance from the home team during the second half, however the damage had already been done with the premiership points all but determined as the teams made their way back onto the field after the main break.
“there was some positives for three quarters tonight but its that one quarter of football that has let us down again,” McKenna said.
O’Meara kept Port star Travis Boak scoreless whilst wracking up twenty disposals and a major for his efforts, however his performance was one of few highlights for the SUNS who crashed to a thirty eight point defeat after looking the better side at the first break.
“Was definitely a good learning curve, Travis is a really good player and their Captain. He caught me out a few times but it was great to have that experience and hopefully I’ll win a few battles against him in future.”
McKenna will no doubt spend the next few days sifting through replays and planning for what looms as a massive contest against the Greater Western Sydney Giants in Canberra next Saturday.
“Certainly I thought the boys effort and intensity for this season and this game was really good, but when you back off one step, no matter who you play, they’ll expose you and we certainly got exposed tonight.”
“I think today we got the ball in to the forward line enough, our clearance work was good but we failed to catch it.”