The NEAFL SUNS run of outs continued on Saturday at Manuka Oval as they succumbed to the UWS Giants (reserves side of GWS) by 15 points and in doing so, slide to fifth position on the ladder.

The 13.12 (90) to 10.15 (75) loss, a result which was unfortunately replicated at senior level, was the SUNS third straight loss in the NEAFL and their most disappointing effort for the season.

SUNS coach Shaun Hart was disappointed with the match and conceded the SUNS had let the Giants get far too many soft goals.

“We probably just gave them too many easy goals,” he said.

“They got about five goals out the back because our defenders were up the ground, and our defenders couldn’t stop them getting out the back.”

“There were a couple of turnover goals as well.”

The SUNS defence sorely missed recently promoted rookie Michael Coad, who was elevated and rushed into the senior team after Nathan Bock’s season ending leg injury.

Hart said the loss of Coad and the experience he brings to the team was decisive.

“We definitely had an inexperienced defence line,” he said.

“At both ends though, we didn’t really assert ourselves.”

Hart nominated Rory Thompson as best player for his efforts as full back, and was also pleased with the performances of Danny Stanley, Jeremy Taylor, Lewis Moss, Tom Hickey and Alex Sexton.

Hart nominated the inconsistency of the side in recent weeks as the most concerning aspect of the SUNS dip in form.

“It is just a concern that we are not competing for consistently long periods (of matches),” he said.

“We have really good patches but there is too much inconsistent stuff.”

The SUNS, will face Redland (6th, 3 wins 3 losses 1 draw) on Saturday at Victoria Point, with the first bounce at 1:30pm.

GOLD COAST SUNS 3.2 6.5 7.9 10.15 (75)
UWS GIANTS 3.4 8.7 9.10 13.12 (90)

GOALS: Liam Patrick 3, Danny Stanley 2, Jaeger O’Meara, Aaron Hall, Josh Hall, Alex Sexton, Ryan Bower.

BEST: Rory Thompson, Danny Stanley, Jeremy Taylor, Lewis Moss, Tom Hickey, Alex Sexton.