The mood in change room number one at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night can only be described as sombre. After an unforgiving defeat by the Saints, the Gold Coast SUNS have been forced to dig deep as they regathering themselves ahead of this weekends round twelve match against North Melbourne.

You could have heard a pin drop in the change room where players, physios and trainers went about their post-match routines in virtual silence, while Board Directors and Club executives lined the walls.

Head Coach Guy McKenna unconventionally addressed the waiting media before any of the waiting scribes had chance to fire their post match questions.

“I’d like to start proceedings by saying on behalf of the AFL public that the effort we displayed tonight was totally unacceptable and I am not here to make excuses. We need to start standing up for ourselves as a team, being accountable to each other and working relentlessly to improve.

It was a new tact from a coach desperate for his talented young squad to not only realize their potential, but play with the effort the Clubs coaching staff demand of them on a daily basis.

“We are not asking for any concessions, we understand and welcome the scrutiny that comes with being in the AFL competition, but at this stage on our journey, the boys are not delivering on promises to themselves or their team mates. The challenge as coaches is that with the help of the leadership group, we need to get into the psyche of this team, and of these individuals.

When asked how the players were feeling, his response was immediate.

“Shattered, and so they should be, but they cannot feel sorry for themselves, we got ourselves into it this position and we must get ourselves out, together as a team. As a team we are committed to staying the course and are unified in a belief in the long term plan. There was an enormous amount of research and planning that went into building this Club, and despite some disappointing performances on field the plan remains on track.

There is no questioning the SUNS embarked on a bold course when establishing a young list, brimming with the best talent in the land, and those involved in that journey have always been prepared for some short term pain as the Club builds toward a period of prolonged success.

“I speak on behalf of the entire playing group when I thank our members and fans for the ongoing support. I want to reassure you that the spark can come back just as quickly as we lost it, so stick with us through these tough times and it will make the good times even greater.”

The Gold Coast SUNS will take the next significant steps on that journey when they take on North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium this Saturday night and we would love to have you there with us, cheering on skipper Gary Ablett and his team mates as they set off in search of a maiden home victory.

Fill the stands with red this weekend as we take on North Melbourne TOGETHER.