The Gold Coast’s grinding victory against the Magpies certainly lifted the spirits amongst the Club’s passionate supporters, but the win will quickly be diminished if the team fails to continue their competitive streak against Carlton this weekend, according to SUNS utility Danny Stanley.
“That’s the challenge for the playing group – we showed out here last year that we can play good footy against Carlton as well and I think we’re in a lot better position this year,” he said.
“We’ll take a lot of confidence away from last week’s game against Collingwood and hopefully get a similar result.”
The Navy Blues know all too well how damaging the Gold Coasters can be when on song, after the SUNS ruined their hopes of playing finals footy after pulling the rabbit out of the hat to record of crowd-inspiring 12-point victory in front 15,000 proud SUNS fans at Metricon Stadium last August.
The Round 22 victory proved more costly than just the loss of premiership points for the AFL powerhouse, the defeat handed down by the Gold Coasters eventually resulting in the sacking of senior coach Brett Ratten.
Stanley also played an instrumental role for Guy McKenna on the night – picking up a handy 21 disposals and five clearances, providing a lively spark out of defence and into attack.
But after consecutive matches around the centre bounce, Stanley is looming as the most likely opponent for star midfielders Chris Judd and Marc Murphy after doing a solid job on Scott Pendlebury last weekend.
“I think my role has changed a lot over the last couple of years, first year I was up forward and last year I was more down back.
“This year I’ve been more in the midfield so it’s a little bit of finding what is bet for the team, and if that’s me playing around the centre circle then I’ll do that as best as I can.”
An equal-career high 33 hit-outs is likely to see Tommy Nicholls receive plenty of opposition attention from Matthew Kreuzer, but Stanley is confident the 200cm skilful giant will come ready to prove himself against the former 2007 No.1 Draft Pick on Saturday.
“Tommy has been doing a fantastic job in the ruck and has been really making sure we are getting first crack at the football.”
“It’s been great for him because at the start of the year he was second or third in line and through injury has been given the opportunity and definitely made the most of it.
“You can see his confidence growing and he’s really starting to use his athleticism.”
Along with the rest of the playing group, Stanley says he’s looking forward to protecting the teams home-ground advantage this weekend.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge that awaits us this week.”
