Tune into SUNS TV for the full interview
By Michael Whiting
Gold Coast SUNS utility Jared Brennan has defended coach Guy McKenna's decision to rest experienced players during the second half of Saturday's upset loss to GWS, saying the players needed to take full responsibility for the defeat.
McKenna withdrew Michael Rischitelli, Matthew Warnock, Jarrod Harbrow and Sam Iles at the main break with his team leading by five points, replacing them with Piers Flanagan, Tom Hickey, Alik Magin and Jacob Gillbee.
Captain Gary Ablett was already being rested from the match.
The Giants went on to win by 13 points and record their first victory against an AFL club.
Brennan said the SUNS should have performed better, even though it was a pre-season match.
"We didn't execute the game plan, so I think Bluey [McKenna] is not at fault there," he said.
"I think it's really the players that take that on board.
"No matter what team you put on, I'd like to think we're all competitors. I know it doesn't matter if I'm playing a game of marbles or I'm playing a game of table tennis, I want to win every single time no matter what happens.
"To say we didn't have our best team out there … we're all competitors, if you're not a competitor, you're probably in the wrong sport."
The result was particularly disappointing after McKenna pulled no punches pre-match, saying Ablett and vice-captain Nathan Bock were the only two additions in a full-strength team.
He expected more players to demand selection ahead of round one against Adelaide on March 31.
Gold Coast SUNS have finished its NAB Cup campaign with a 1-3 record with back-to-back losses to Geelong and GWS.
In a market craving success, Brennan said there were still positives from Saturday's match.
"Josh Caddy played his first game for a while which was great for him, and a couple of younger guys got their chance to put their hand up for round one," he said.
"For the fringe supporters you want to give them hope of being able to see young players and we want to see who wants to come on the journey with us.
"Hopefully they can see the youngsters and that there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel."
Gold Coast SUNS play the Sydney Swans on Saturday at Blacktown International Sportspark.
