THE NAVEL-GAZING is over, now Gold Coast defender Jack Bowes says he and his teammates have to move on from their AFL disappointment last weekend.
The Suns were embarrassed by an undermanned Fremantle in Perth last Saturday, slumping to a 27-point defeat later labelled by coach Stuart Dew as the club's worst display of the 2021 season.
Bowes, who returned from a three-week absence with a hamstring injury against the Dockers, said after an honest review of the performance it was key to get the squad back into a positive mindset before welcoming Port Adelaide to Metricon Stadium this Saturday.
"As a team we had some hard feedback sessions and I think everyone got out, what they needed to, but after that we ramped up our positivity and I thought training on Wednesday was one of our best high-intensity sessions we've had all year," the 23-year-old said.
"Really looking forward to taking that into Port Adelaide because reality is it's all action from now on in."
The Suns have named key defender Sam Collins after he was a late omission from the Dockers game due to an ankle injury.
There's also a comeback to the AFL for foundation Sun Sam Day, who made his return in the VFL last weekend after 10 weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Bowes said the return of the combative tall forward was a big boost leading into the clash with fifth-placed Port.
"I can't wait to play with him personally," Bowes said.
"He's a player that crashes packs and someone that you love playing with."
The Power head to Queensland aiming to bounce back from a 21-point loss at home to Geelong last time out, with ruckman Scott Lycett back from suspension.
Since suffering the ignominy of becoming the first team to lose an AFL match to the Suns in 2011, the Power have won 11 straight against the Suns with an average winning margin of 62 points from their past five matches.
"Any week, if we bring our best, we can beat any side in the competition," Bowes said.
"After a disappointing week last week, we can really turn that around on Saturday."
