The Gold Coast SUNS have issued a warning notice to competition’s Victorian-based clubs after their impressive showings in the nation’s sporting capital, recording their historic MCG Victory against Melbourne in their Round 7 clash against the Demons at the code’s spiritual ground.
And after sending a major scare through the Hawthorn camp after taking it right up to the 2012 Grand Finalists, and coming close to achieving the almost impossible against Geelong at Simonds Stadium, Lovell told goldcoastfc.com.au that the senior team were becoming confident every time they fly out of Coolangatta Airport.
“The more times you go the more familiar it becomes and there’s no question you get some reinforcements from good strong efforts as we have from our performances against Hawthorn at the MCG,” said Lovell.
“It might not necessarily win you games but it takes away the unknown factor because you’re more familiar with the playing fields.”
With Essendon having built a hostile territory at each of their home games at Etihad Stadium, Lovell says the playing group are eager to return the favour after the Bombers managed to secure an unconvincing victory during their Round 3 encounter at Metricon Stadium last year.
“They’re a top four side and play well at Etihad but we’ve gotten some confidence from our last four-five weeks and there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
“We’ve won three out of our last five and have had really strong performances against Hawthorn and Geelong and it gives us confidence knowing our processes that we rely on are sound and solid.
“Our biggest challenge is ensuring we play four quarters at Etihad and if we do that then we give ourselves a chance.”
