By Katrina Gill and Max Philips
 

"WE ARE the SUNS of the Gold Coast sky."

The players might've needed a poster board to remind them of the words to the club song, but rarely if ever has a side belted out a song with such gusto as the GC SUNS did, following their historic three-point win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After losing their opening three games by an average margin of 93 points, learning the words to the club song didn't appear to be a matter of urgency for the GC SUNS.

Critics questioned whether they would win a game all season and, if recruiting manager Scott Clayton had erred in only poaching eight of a possible 16 uncontracted players from other clubs ahead of their entry into the big league.

Skipper Gary Ablett's professionalism was questioned and the club's fitness coaches were also challenged, after it was revealed defender Nathan Krakouer had been deemed too unfit to play.

Winning has a way of eroding such concerns - or at least putting them on the back burner for another week - and the GC SUNS certainly didn't seem as though they had a care in the world in the change rooms, after securing a come-from-behind win over the Power.

Players, coaches, trainers, family and friends all stood arm-in-arm in a ring of red and gold, sharing in the historic moment for the club and indeed the AFL.

It was clearly an emotional moment for the club two-years in the making, with hugs, high-fives and slaps on the backsides aplenty.

There were even a few tears from the proud mums of the 10-plus teenagers in the side.

The rooms resembled a mosh-pit at a heavy-metal concert, with everyone wanting a piece of the newest kids on the block and coach Guy McKenna could pull-up sorer than some of his players, after vigorously shaking the hand of nearly every person to enter the room.

McKenna hailed his side's "inner-belief and spirit", following the win.

The GC SUNS trailed by 40 points late in the third term, but unlike last week when they rolled over against Melbourne, they displayed the courage, poise and physical fitness of a far more experienced team to stage a dramatic turnaround.

Led by Ablett, no.1 draft-pick David Swallow, Brandon Matera and Michael Rischitelli, Gold Coast SUNS piled on six goals to Port Adelaide's one to snatch the lead with two minutes to play.

Showdown hero Justin Westhoff had a chance to break Gold Coast SUNS hearts, with a shot at goal after the siren but there would be no villain in this fairytale and the Suns held on to record a memorable win.

"Today we showed that Gold Coast spirit - that never-say-die attitude," McKenna said after the game.

"It was a really pleasing effort from our players, they stood up."

Just a few doors down in the doldrums of AAMI Stadium the mood in the Port Adelaide rooms was in stark contrast.

The hope that had been generated by the gutsy win over Adelaide the week prior evaporated and the feeling turned to one of embarrassment and shame.

Everyone said Gold Coast SUNS would "win a game eventually", but no one wanted it to be against them, or their team.

Just as Geelong had when they became the first team to lose to Port Adelaide in its inaugural season 1997, Port Adelaide had become the answer to a future trivia question and according to acting-captain Troy Chaplin "the laughing stock of the competition".

Matthew Primus isn't one to use the media to air his dirty laundry, but before answering questions at his post-match press conference the typically-reserved coach took it upon himself to apologise to the club's supporters and sponsors for the dismal effort.

"It [the result] doesn't do wonders for the morale of the club and the brand," he said.

"We have a brand that hasn't been well thought of for a couple of years now…we took a tiny step forward last week and have taken five steps back today."

The Power have a lot of soul-searching to do.

It's unlikely this will be the end of Gold Coast SUNS troubles this season either, but for now the GC SUNS are off the bottom of the AFL ladder and on top of the world.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.