Midfielder David Swallow is confident the Gold Coast’s competitive efforts on foreign soil will not go unrewarded, after the SUNS managed to get within a two-point against West Coast during the final quarter on Saturday, before the Eagles eventually ran away with the victory. 

 “The fact that we can match teams on the road is really pleasing,” he said.

“We’ve shown we can play well at home, and to go to Perth and be competitive for most of the game was pretty important for the boys.”

The away team created a series of solid chases in the first half after trailing by 26-points at one stage, but a lack of polish in front of goal proved costly, in particular with Josh Kennedy (five goals) and Josh Hill (three goals) kicking straight at the Eagles end.

“It’s tough going to Perth – it’s a massive ground and I think we got in a shoot-out which we probably didn’t want as a team,” Swallow said.

But despite the enormity of the challenge, Swallow commended his team mate’s for refusing to back down in the final period. 

“I thought the boy’s effort was fantastic and I think a few skill errors eventually cost us in getting the job done.”

Individually, the returning Gold Coaster finished with a handy 21 disposals, four clearances and six inside-50s, after missing consecutive matches with a knee injury.

“I didn’t feel too bad which was good, I had an early tweak in the second quarter but felt find for the rest of the game,” he said.

“I probably blew up in the second-half but after missing two weeks of football it was good to get out there and get a run.”

But Swallow’s highlight, as was most of his team mates, was the return of Vice-Captain Nathan Bock who played his first AFL Premiership match for 2013 after working his way back into the mix following an extensive rehabilitation program that saw the veteran utility miss almost sixteen months of senior football. 

“It was good to finally have Bocky around there and seeing him playing with the team again,” Swallow said.

“His presence certainly helps straighten us a little bit and it was good to see him back out there after being out for so long.”