The Gold Coast SUNS NEAFL side made it back to back wins to start the season with a 36 point victory over the Sydney Swans at the SCG.

After a tight first quarter, where the Swans led by 2 points, the SUNS took advantage of the Swans inaccuracy in the second quarter to grab a one point lead at the main break, 4.5 to 3.10.

The Swans grabbed the ascendency in the third quarter and at one stage were a couple of goals ahead, despite being down numbers on the bench.

In the end, that numerical advantage worked in the Suns favour as they regained the lead and went on with it, kicking six goals to one in the final quarter to run out 13.13 (91) to 7.13 (55) victors.

SUNS coach Shaun Hart was understandably delighted, given last year the Swans were quite dominant against the SUNS in the NEAFL.

“This time last year we went down there and faced them and lost by about 100 points because we just weren’t ready for their intensity and defensive pressure,” said Hart.

“But certainly today we matched them and ended up overwhelming them ourselves in the end.”

“(I am) very pleased with the all round effort. There were some really good performances by individuals, but just about all players really contributed again like last week.”

Hart said the SUNS key focus was the areas that the senior team were smashed at against Adelaide in Round 1.

“We very much flow on from the messages and the themes from the senior team, and that was definitely a key focus for us - contested football and accountability in defence,” he said.

“We were probably a bit sloppy with our disposal. We kept turning the ball back over and giving them a chance.”

“They were probably better around the contested footy than us early but missed a couple of shots that allowed us to be within striking distance at quarter time.”

Hart acknowledged the Swans were left disadvantaged by being numbers down on the bench, and with the late change caused by Mark Seaby being called up to the senior team when Shane Mumford was a late withdrawal.

“They were a couple down on the bench and they certainly struggled,” he said.

“We had about 185 rotations and that ended up being valuable for us in the end, because the fresh legs really opened it up in the last quarter.”

“We kicked five or six goals in the last quarter and we ended up winning b y that.”

Hart didn’t hesitate when asked who was the best performed SUNS player.

“Jaegar O’Meara was outstanding as we expected him to be. He was the best man on the ground by a fair way,” he said.

“Sammy (Iles) was in our best six players. He did a pretty good job off half back.

“Kyal Horsley was very good again.

“Michael Coad was very good again, Josh Fraser was good, Jacob Gillbee was pretty good. They were probably our best six players.”

When further quizzed on O’Meara, Hart couldn’t hide his excitement at his talent, and the frustration that the SUNS will have to wait until next season to see him at senior level.

“He is very exciting. The Sydney crowd that got their early would have been pretty excited to watch him play,” he said.

“It was a pleasure to see him running around and the speed he plays the game at already. His offensive and defensive balance, he plays both parts of the game very well, as well as stoppages.

“He was just outstanding today.

“It is going to be one of those things we have to keep being frustrated by that we won’t see him at senior level this year because he would play in the seniors, there is no doubt about that.

Although the NEAFL team is off to a flying start, Hart said the players would need a prolonged period of form to force their way into senior calculations.

“We won’t be rushing to change positions at senior level unless there are some guys that are struggling at senior level,” he said.

“They are going to have to show us that they are physically and ready to compete at the next level. They will have to really show us with their actions and their ability to handle pressure at the NEAFL level and can really play above the competition.”

The SUNS next match will be against reigning premier Northern Territory Thunder, which will be played as the curtain raiser to the Gold Coast VS Essendon match at Metricon on Saturday.

GOLD COAST 2.3 4.5 7.11 13.13 (91)
SYDNEY 2.5 3.10 6.12 7.13 (55)

GOALS: J.Fraser 5, D.Stanley 2, A.Sexton 2, S.Day, C.Dixon, J.Gillbee, A.Magin 1.
BEST: J.O’Meara, K.Horsley, S.Iles, J.Gillbee, M.Coad, J.Fraser.