Tune into SUNS TV to hear from Shaun Hart
A sluggish first half by the NEAFL SUNS proved costly in their 53 point loss to the Syndey Swans at Blacktown on Sunday.
The SUNS didn’t handle the greasy conditions well, and were well out of the contest at half time, trailing eight goals to one.
The second half was a much more even contest, but the SUNS were convincingly beaten 16.13 (109) to 8.8 (56).
Coach Shaun Hart said the SUNS were very disappointing in the first half.
“We got blown away in the first half; we were outmuscled,” he said.
“We got led to the ball and they got a heap of free kicks because they were in front and we were just reactive.”
“Structurally we fell down and lacked the ability to get good structure forward of the ball.”
“It was a very disappointing contest, especially in the first half.”
Hart was pleased that the SUNS were able to get something out of the match with a more competitive effort in the second half.
“The second half we finally got some players to play their role and we did quite well,” he said.
“Our last quarter in particular was good, the scores were quite even but we played well.”
The SUNS were coming off a bye heading into this match, but Hart said it was no excuse for the SUNS poor first half.
“We freshened up a little bit (over the bye period), but we did some hard training, particularly on the Friday and Monday,” he said.
“I don’t think it was anything to do with the rest.”
The experienced players for the SUNS were the better players on the day with Hart giving ticks to Zac Smith, Jared Brennan, Josh Toy, Brendon Matera and Steven May.
Jackson Allen, Maverick Weller and Taylor Hine also got a mention from the coach.
“Zac Smith was quite good early and late in the match as well. He and Brennan were quite good over four quarters,” he said.
The loss to the Swans sees the SUNS precariously placed in 5th position on the NEAFL Northern Conference ladder.
The SUNS next match will be against Broadbeach (7th, 4 wins 4 losses 1 draw) as the curtain raiser to the Gold Coast VS St Kilda match at Metricon Stadium, with the first bounce at 12:30pm.
GOLD COAST 1.1 1.4 3.6 8.8 (56)
SYDNEY SWANS 5.2 8.4 12.7 16.13 (109)
BEST: Zac Smith, Jared Brennan, Josh Toy, Brendon Matera, Steven May, Jackson Allen, Maverick Weller, Taylor Hine.
