SUNS Senior Coach Stuart Dew was thrilled with his team’s ability to dominate from start to finish in the match against North Melbourne on Sunday night.

Gold Coast extended its lead at every break in the contest to run out comfortable 63-point winners at Metricon Stadium.

Speaking post-match, Dew said the performance proved what the team was capable of when the gameplan is executed effectively.

“(There were) a lot of things to like, particularly we spoke about it at three-quarter time being 34 points up and making sure we got the right habits to finish the game off,” Dew said.

“But our effort and shape around the contest, we wanted to play really quick tonight, that exciting brand of footy that we've shown in parts.

“We wanted to stamp our authority really early and I think the boys played that out well.”

There were contributors all across the field throughout the match, with Dew commenting on the work of Ben Ainsworth, who had one of his best games in a SUNS guernsey, and Alex Sexton, who responded well in his return match with four goals.

Dew also praised the efforts of young star Noah Anderson, who continued his outstanding debut season to be one of Gold Coast’s best on the night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“He's just super consistent in everything he does,” Dew said of last year’s pick 2 in the national draft.

“He respects the opposition, does his homework and his work-rate, he’s a really honest, two-way player.

“For a first-year player, I think the way he plays you actually forget that he's in his first year because he's so consistent and he’s got a great balance.”

The next month is a big challenge for the SUNS to make sure they finish the season with a full head of steam.

Dew said despite the dominant victory, there were still aspects of the team’s performance that can be refined.

“I think goal-kicking was an issue, and finishing, but certainly I can’t remember the last time we had 15 marks inside 50, which is good,” he said.

“There’s some good connection but we did really want to play that with speed and take the game on and willing to live with if some mistakes come from that.

“I think we want to try and play the game the right way and we've got to keep testing ourselves.

“We know as we get towards the end of the season that teams will do more and more homework on us and how we want to play and we'll do the same to them.”