He’s widely regarded as the premier midfielder in the competition and tonight Gold Coast SUNS skipper Gary Ablett further increased his chances of a second Brownlow medal with an inspired performance against the finals bound Collingwood Magpies, leading the home side to an historic 7-point victory in front of nearly 20,000 screaming fans at Metricon Stadium.
The Magpies threw everything at the SUNS skipper, however there was little they could do to stop him as he wracked up a remarkable 49 disposals, seven marks and ten clearances.
Speaking exclusively with goldcoastfc.com.au after celebrating their sixth Premiership victory for 2013, the 246-game Ablett said the memorable victory would go down as one of the club’s greatest ever.
“What an unbelievable win for our playing group, members, fans and the city of Gold Coast,” Ablett said.
The Gold Coasters led at every interchange after taking a three-point scoreboard leverage into the quarter-time huddle.
“We always knew that if we could take it up to them from the first bounce, and really made an effort to compete around the ground defensively, that we would be in with a fighting chance of kicking the winning score and securing our sixth Premiership victory for 2013.”
Senior coach Guy McKenna echoed Ablett’s words post match, telling reporters the win would give the playing group a significant confidence boost heading into their Round 18 clash against Carlton next week.
“Any win in our first three years is important but a win against a top 8 side is certainly a confidence booster,” McKenna told reporters after the match.
“To beat a side of Collingwood’s quality is a great reward of the tremendous effort we have put in over the summer and into the Premiership Season.”
“I couldn’t have been prouder of the playing group.”
Ablett suggested the win could be the turning point for the Gold Coasters as they head into the back-end of the Season, but said the boys would need to back up their efforts against the Blues next weekend if they’re to earn further credibility from the rest of the national competition.
“If we continue to come out and attack the contest with the same level of defensive pressure and intensity we displayed throughout tonight, there’s no reason why we can’t continue to taste team success.”
“We have a big game on our hands at home against Carlton next week, who have shown they are genuine premiership contenders when in good form.”
“It’s going to be another tremendous challenge – but there’s no doubt the confidence oozing from the playing group will give us a great chance of to compete for the victory.”
Australian football Superstar Harry Kewell joined the GC SUNS skipper and his team mates in the change rooms immediately after the final siren after enjoying the match in the Gold Coast SUNS Chairman’s lounge.
