David Swallow insists Gold Coast will pull no punches when it meets Melbourne in this Sunday’s Easter clash, with the players hungry to atone for their forgettable round 5 performance against Hawthorn. 

On face value, it’s hard to find positives from the SUNS’ 99-point wake- up call, but the effort and hound-like tenacity shown in the opening term impressive, but the home side couldn’t maintain that intensity over four quarters.. 

Swallow, who has been one of the club’s best performers in the opening rounds so far this season, said the table-topping Hawks handed out plenty of football lessons that the SUNS would use to better themselves as top eight hopefuls

“We were pretty competitive in the first half but if you are even a bit off in this competition and not going at 100 per cent for four quarters, the good teams will run over the top of you and that’s what happened,” he told The Courier Mail.

“We can take a lot out of the game. We still have a lot to work on.

“Melbourne aren’t going to roll over us. We have to get back to what we do best if we want to beat them down there.”

The celebrations spread far and wide for the Demons on Saturday afternoon, with Paul Roos’ playing group digging deep to post a spirited victory over Carlton; their first since round 14 last season. 

Pocket rocket Dion Prestia is a chance to renew his battle with Dees’ co-captain Nathan Jones, who led his team superbly against the navy blues with 28 touches through the midfield.

Young ball magnet Jack Viney (20 disposals and four clearances) and mobile big man James Frawley also competed manfully, and will be on the SUNS’ radar leading into this weekend’s contest.

The trip south won’t be made any easier, though, with key defender Clay Cameron expected to be ruled out of action as he awaits scan results on a suspected shoulder injury.