Despite copping a 119-point loss against Carlton the previous week, Gold Coast SUNS youngster Daniel Gorringe said the morale of the side had remained upbeat throughout the week.
Speaking after the GC SUNS 71-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Gorringe reiterated judgments on the progress of his young side should be made at season’s end and not after two games.
“The feeling was really good. The boys were up and about,” Gorringe said.
“All the boys are a similar age and the senior boys are good to us and we all gel really well.
“We stayed to our structure and competed well in the contested ball. Leading into this game, we focused on those areas and it showed today that we can be competitive.”
The 18-year-old, who missed out on selection for Gold Coast SUNS first match, admitted he used that frustration to motivate him to cement a berth in the starting line-up for the GC SUNS first trip to Victoria this season.
“It’s always disappointing to miss out on the first round,” he said.
“I went back to the reserves and used that aggression in missing out to work on a few things and to get the call up this week, I was really excited for myself, my family and my friends.
“Once you get that opportunity, you have to grab it. I’m really glad I can come into the team and have the chance to help out as much as possible.”
Gorringe said the impact of the senior players and coaching staff on the squad cannot be underestimated, with the youngster praising teammate Josh Fraser and ruck coach Jeff White for his rapid development during the off-season.
“Those two have been instrumental for me in learning my craft and they have told me all the things I need to work on – I’m really thankful they are around.“
The developing ruckman isn’t getting carried away by the external expectations of his team, focusing instead on the expectations set by coach Guy McKenna
“We haven’t looked at wins or losses – it’s just about our structures and our contested ball numbers,” he said.
“If we are competitive for four quarters, hard at the ball, keep our structures right then it is going to be a successful year for us.”
