The Gold Coast SUNS went down by 34 points to one of the premiership fancies in Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
But Gold Coast SUNS Senior Coach was “Proud” of his side’s effort in response to the poor Round 9 loss to the Brisbane Lions.
“Our execution obviously cost us but we’re really proud of the effort,” Dew said.
“Particularly after last week, where we let ourselves down.
“Obviously, our main thing was to bring our effort, the execution we'll keep working on, keep hammering away at.”
The young and inexperienced SUNS line up came up against a team of hard, seasoned Cats but took it right to them, reducing the margin to five points during the third quarter after Geelong took an early lead.
“Could have come in at three quarter time in front, or thereabouts.”
“Even the last quarter, what was it, four goals all, we fought the game out.
“I thought our guys kept having a crack at the game and didn’t’ just try to play safe.”
The SUNS were left to rue missed opportunities in front of goal throughout the game.
“They hurt.”
“The pleasing thing was that guys didn't drop away because last week that’s what happened.
“The way our guys kept going, I think that's why we were able to finish the game the way we did.”
Stuart Dew wasn’t prepared to accept the result as an honourable loss.
“We wouldn't call it honourable loss because we came here to respond and respond with a win.”
“But I think when you pressure a team like Geelong, get 75 tackles and get opportunities on goal.
“We look at it as periods of a game against a quality side that we can not only match them but get on top of them.
“I think they (the players) were able to attack the game with a real positive mindset.
“Not come down here to just play well, came to win, we didn't get the win, Geelong were too good.”
Wil Powell continued to impress in his role as part of the defensive group, with a series of strong contested intercept marks against a strong Geelong forward line.
“He's a good example of sticking at it because I think early in the game, he wasn't his usual self.”
“He was able to turn it around in game, in quarter and really helped springboard us in that second quarter.
“We love the way Powelly goes about it.
“He’s so courageous, it's good to watch.”
The SUNS will now look to carry their performance into a Round 11 Sir Doug Nicholls clash against Hawthorn on Saturday night in Darwin.
