Gold Coast Football Club senior coach Guy McKenna believes his team’s game long work ethic was the most pleasing aspect to come out of the club’s brave but ultimately unsuccessful VFL debut against Port Melbourne last weekend.

VFL heavyweight Port Melbourne dominated the first term, but GCFC had the better of much of the remainder of the game including a blistering six goal to two second quarter. Although falling twelve points short, the ability of McKenna’s young side to work all day to claw itself into contention was a definitely post-match talking point.

“During the game eight players cramped whether it be from first game nerves, being young fellas, or wrestling bigger bodies. But when someone cramps it tells me that they’re working really hard, so that’s a pleasing thing. As the season goes on we’ll have less and less boys cramping and hopefully notch up a few wins.”

On the subject of hard work, few GCFC players went harder for longer than midfielder Daniel Harris. Not only did Harris plough through a mountain of in and under work, he also snagged four goals including GCFC’s first ever VFL major.

McKenna said Harris’ performance would probably cause opposition sides to sit up and take notice.

“It’s only natural that Harro will attract extra attention. He’s played 149 senior games. [Other sides] will know him well enough and they also know if they don’t pay him respect he’ll hurt you. He kicked three goals as a midfielder and one as a forward. For him to finish with four and with all his clearance work as well, he’s certainly a big asset for us.”

McKenna praised the efforts of a significant slice of his young list.

“I thought the West Australians – Swallow and Matera - were quite good. Liam Patrick popped up and kicked his usual two goals. Rex Liddy in the forward pocket was good and he was as young as anyone out there. Luke Russell on the wing. Taylor Hine down back. At different stages I think everyone put their hand up and said ‘I belong in this league’. That’s why I came away from the game feeling good about things.”

He was complimentary of the squad’s offensive efficiency, another sign that despite its youth the group was finding a new level of on-field maturity.

“Port pipped us 51 to 42 in terms of inside 50’s but we were still fairly effective when we went inside so that’s the main thing. We kicked 15.7 in the end. Last year it probably would have been something like 11.11.”

Although maintaining the club’s win-loss ledger would not be the best gauge of the club’s development, he intimated on-field success would not elude the group for long.

“We’re not really getting judged on wins and losses. This is really about sitting back and seeing our boys play on men because come AFL time, all bets are off and birth certificates get ripped up. That said, chalking up some wins will give the group some great confidence moving forward. We fell short by only twelve points against Port who are probably a top four side. The boys should naturally come away with some confidence. I know I did.”

It doesn’t get any easier for GCFC who now face Williamstown at Merrimac Oval next Saturday at 2.00pm. Williamstown finished second on the ladder in last year’s home and away season and are among this year’s VFL premiership favourites.