Sean Lemmens says the SUNS are treating the remainder of the 2021 AFL Home & Away season as a terrific challenge, beginning this Saturday against the Kangaroos in Hobart.
The SUNS are looking to bounce back to winning ways following consecutive defeats with a focus on getting back to the core of what makes the squad tick.
“We did go into our shells a little (against Port Adelaide). We’ve reviewed and thought about our trademark, our contest and we need to get back to that sort of stuff,” Lemmens said.
“The standards we’re setting behind closed doors are strong as ever. Once our trademark is good, and our contest, the rest takes care of itself.
“We’ll get back to the controllables and go from there.”
The two sides last met back in Round 2 – a contest the SUNS controlled from beginning to end in a 59-point victory at Metricon Stadium, but they aren’t taking the upcoming challenge lightly.
“You have to look at every team the exact same way… we’ll preview the Kangaroos like we would any other club,” Lemmens added.
The SUNS will face several premiership contenders in the run home with fixtures to come against the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne, and the Brisbane Lions, and it’s a challenge Lemmens says they’ll face head on.
“We can look at the last 9-10 weeks as a challenge and it’s exciting because we get to match up against the best in the competition,” he continued.
“If you want to test yourself, why not do it against the absolute best which we have in the run home.”
Lemmens also praised the passion of Chairman Tony Cochrane, saying his love for the club sets a great example for the playing group.
“I love how he wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s just a really honest person. You can see how much he loves the club, just by how he talks about it.
“The way he wears his heart on his sleeve, it’s a good example for the rest of us at the club, the love he shows for it is amazing.
“It does drive you and give you motivation to perform that little bit better.”