Gold Coast SUNS skipper Gary Ablett says the SUNS will travel North to Cairns with renewed confidence following their spirited performance against AFL Premiers Geelong on the weekend.
The Gold Coast fell just 14 points shy of the Cats after dominating the final quarter of a thrilling encounter at Metricon Stadium with Ablett saying improvements are being made each time the young SUNS take the field.
"We got a lot of the weekend, obviously disappointing not to get the win but you know I thought we played well for most of the match, I just think there was a patch there in the third quarter where we let them get a bit of a run on and score a few goals and we will make sure we fix that up this week and I think it’s a great opportunity up against the Tigers in Cairns."
Ablett said Coach Guy McKenna who guided the side from the sideline on Sunday had challenged his players pre game to take the game on against the reigning premiers and they had successfully carried their solid training form through to game day.
I think the message going into the game was a good message from Bluey, he just wanted the boys to attack the game, take the game on, take risks and I think the boys did that on the weekend and while we turned it over at times and gave them easy goals, as the boys get more experienced, it’s not going to happen as much and we will start winning some games.
The Gold Coast SUNS sprung one of the upsets of the 2011 season on Richmond when the two sides last met at Cazaly’s Stadium Cairns. Down by a massive 36 points at the first break, the SUNS dominated the second period to take a three point lead into the half time break only to be reeled in again during the all important third term with the Tigers ahead by 13 points at the final change.
With a howling breeze to their backs the SUNS slotted five last quarter goals to claim a thrilling 12.13.85 to 9.16.70 win in the first ever Toyota AFL Premiership match played in North Queensland.
The Gold Coasters confident they can repeat their efforts on Saturday night.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us, we did get them up there last year and another years experience is going to help and hopefully it will be our first win in Cairns. Our supporters up there are always great, they get along and they support us, so hopeful the first win up there with them and then I think we are home the next weekend so it would be good to get a win at home as well.”
The Gold Coast SUNS could welcome a number of first choice players back for the Tigers encounter, however Ablett says winning will be decided on attitude rather than availability.I think Bluey has to come in with the same message as last week for the boys to take the game on, we have a young side but at the same time we have got a very quick side and if we can get the ball on the outside, win the ball first, win the contested ball, tackle well and you know get the ball moving quickly well there is no doubt that’s going to go a long way to helping us win.
“I think over the last month there has been a massive focus on the defensive side of our game and I think the boys have been doing that well, I think we are a long way ahead of last year but I think we lost our attack a little bit and just taking the game on so it was a message all week and we trained that way and I think the boys played that way.”
“If we can continue to improve our defence and continue now to improve our attack then I think we are not that far away from a win.”
In preparation for the Richmond encounter, Ablett visited Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, however found this up close and very personal encounter with one of the parks Tigers significantly more intimidating than the ones he’ll face at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns on Saturday afternoon.
I was a little bit nervous, I think I was a little bit more nervous than what I will be on the weekend but it was good fun and it’s good to get out and I have to thank Dreamworld for allowing us to come out here and have some fun with the tigers it was a great experience.
