In wet and horrific conditions at Gold Coast Stadium, the Coast were jumped by the Victorians in the first quarter and never recovered, going down 9-10 (64) to 16-6 (102).

It was a great grounding for the boys. Obviously the Ranges are a very handy side, said McKenna.

It was our second game as a group, so you certainly don't go home pulling your hair out. I wouldn't say I was expecting to win. (But) I was expecting to see these boys be better than they were two weeks ago when we played Southport (trial game)

Have your say on the feedback form below In some cases, I would think most of the boys were. GCFC big man Zac Smith was easily the Coast's best, dominating in the ruck, while PNG recruit Stanis Susuve, skipper Marc Lock (three goals) and Jack Stanlake (two goals) impressed.

The coaching staff would have also been impressed with Rory Thompson, who was imposing up forward, and ball magnet Luke Shreeve, who turned out to be the surprise packet with two goals and plenty of touches in the midfield. Being the club's first match after 15 weeks of training, the players were fired up, and were not afraid to go in for the hard ball.

The fantastic thing was the boys' intent -- they really went in for the contests, said McKenna. Probably (it was) a case of a bit too much brawn and not enough brain at times, but that's a good thing for a coach, because you can pull the boys back a bit and have a bit of a smartness about it. Some of the boys' attack on the footy you just couldn't question -- it was fantastic. Zac Smith and Declan Bevan's work in the centre, along with Rory Thompson, is something we can take out of the game.

The team is made up of Queenslanders but the Coast will have access to 12 top 17-year-olds at the end of the year from across Australia. There were some big performances from the Eastern Ranges, such as big man Luke McDonald, who kicked five goals. Ironically, McDonald could find himself back at Carrara playing for the Coast in a year or two thanks to the club's draft concessions.

The Coasters head south later in the week to take on the Western Jets on Sunday. There were some big names missing for the locals on Saturday night, such as vice-captain Charlie Dixon (osteitis pubis) and Jack Stanley (knee). McKenna said Dixon was a chance to play this week. By Nick Smart, Courtesy Gold Coast Bulletin