SUNS Senior Coach Stuart Dew is keen to knock over the Brisbane Lions tonight and win the 2020 QClash cup.
The Gold Coast SUNS will take on the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the QClash at 7:10pm tonight.
Dew said he expected the Lions, who are sitting third place on the ladder, to perform well but was confident the team could come out on top if they replicated the type of form they showed against North Melbourne.
“We are really excited by the challenge as the Lions are clearly a premiership contender but we are looking forward to going to their home ground and trying to knock them over,” he said.
“When the stakes are high and things are on the line, it’s a good game.
“We want to keep winning. If we happen to beat Brisbane and put a little dent in them, that’s a good thing too.”
Dew said the rivalry between Gold Coast vice-captain Touk Miller and Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko would add fuel to the game.
“I think both teams enjoy it and it keeps them on edge,” he commented.
“Regardless of the ladder position, it’s going to be a good, exciting game.
“This week is important to us and we would love to finish the season with real momentum.”
Dew said the team’s improved performance this year has been helped by consistency from the young playing list.
“They all have put their whole heart into the footy club and it’s coming back to them a million miles an hour,” he said.
“We have used the COVID interrupted AFL season as a positive and all the guys have been fantastic.”
The Gold Coast SUNS have a record eight players nominated in the AFL Players’ Association 22Under22 squad.
2020 Rising Star nominees Noah Anderson, Connor Budarick and Izak Rankine make their first appearance in the 40-man squad after outstanding debut seasons.
Second-year players Ben King and Jack Lukosius, as well as Charlie Ballard, Jack Bowes and Ben Ainsworth will join them.
Dew said he was glad the players were recognised for their hard work.
“The load they have been able to carry as young footballers have been outstanding, especially mentally during COVID-19,” he said.
“They are probably mimicking us, as a footy club, laying the foundations to a really strong career and we like to think we are laying the foundations for a really strong football club.
“The footy club is proud that we have got a really strong representation.”
