Two weeks into his AFL career as a Gold Coast SUN, ruckman Dan Currie is still searching for his first win in the red and gold.
Currie is a competitive beast and although the former Kangaroo has finally obtained the senior opportunity that has long evaded him, the on-field results have left him less than satisfied.
“It’s a bit of a sour taste walking off the field both weeks, two losses,” Currie told SUNS TV.
“I thought the first week against North, the effort was there and we butchered the ball a little bit and that’s virtually what cost us the game in the end. But on the weekend (against Geelong), the effort was lacking and it was a really disappointing loss and feeling walking off the ground.”
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Against Geelong, the SUNS won the hitouts 39-32 but the ledger was squared 10-10 in hitouts to advantage.
To improve those numbers, Currie believes he needs to develop more synergy with a midfield group led by Gary Ablett, Aaron Hall and Dion Prestia and there will be a focus on the stoppages work at training this week.
“I need to get more chemistry and synergy with the midfield,” he said.
“I feel at times we’re not quite on the same page, just some hits, stuff like that so that’s the biggest thing. I want to grow this week and making sure we’re all on the same page at every stoppage.”
This Saturday’s clash against Melbourne at Metricon Stadium will provide a big challenge for the 27-year-old, with emerging ruckman Max Gawn set to be on the other side of the centre circle at the opening bounce.
For the SUNS to get back on the winner’s list against the Demons, two things are crucial: applying relentless pressure and improving disposal efficiency.
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“We need to get back to doing what we did the first three weeks which was bringing the pressure, improving our disposal efficiency because sometimes you can paint over the cracks,” Currie said.
“If one’s up and the other one’s lacking you can gloss over it a little bit but when both are lacking like they were clearly on the weekend it can be pretty diabolical so we need to get back to both of those.
“Both defending hard, applying that relentless pressure but also using the ball well when we’ve got it in our hands.”