They might still yet claim the AFL wooden spoon but Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna believed the Suns’ highly-paid recruits had more than earned their keep in 2011.
The Gold Coast will draw the curtain on their historic debut season in a match where, again, they appear to be lambs to the slaughter – a Carrara clash with a high-flying Hawthorn on Saturday.
Just a win ahead of last-placed Port Adelaide, the Suns – in their inaugural year – still face the dreaded spoon if they suffer a horror loss to the Hawks.
This is not something out of the question from a side that has lost games by 150 and 139 points this season.
However, McKenna said senior players of the likes of Gary Ablett – who is rumoured to have signed on for up to $1.9 million a season – had justified their paychecks this year.
He dipped his hat to the likes of Ablett, Nathan Bock, Jared Brennan, Michael Rischitelli, Campbell Brown and Jarrod Harbrow after taking on an enormous workload on arrival on the tourist strip.
“A lot can be said about how much money they’ve made but, to a man, they’ve earned every dollar,” McKenna said.
While being relegated to last place on debut was a very real possibility, McKenna said they were looking at another milestone this weekend – their first home win.
The Suns made their debut at Carrara in round 10 against Geelong after playing their first three home games at the Gabba but have come away from every match unsatisfied.
All three of their season’s wins have been away.
“It (wooden spoon) is not something you set your mind to – our motivation is to be the best we can week in, week out,” McKenna said.
“You prefer to go in flying the flag and charging into the pre-season rather than losing and limping and getting whacked. It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.
“It’s important we finish well.
“(Our supporters) have been loud and proud for us for the whole season.
“They sit there and look on in hope and there comes a time we need to deliver on hope.
“I’m not saying it will be this weekend, but we need to make sure they come to the game with some hope.”
McKenna said taking on a finals-bound side would provide a last, timely gauge for his emerging side ahead of 2012.
“We get an opportunity against a top-four side – if nothing else, it will be a mental challenge this week,” he said.
“We know if we back off against Hawthorn, they will open us up.
“They are one of the best sides with their ferocity at the footy and we have to match that to give ourselves any chance.
“That’s not a physical thing, that’s a mental challenge.”
McKenna hinted Jacob Gillbee would be their season’s 34th debutant this weekend.
stabpass
Guest
Yep, i woud agree with that, was Bennell coming home to see his family, or be with his mates ?. Steven Hill for EX: is quite close to his family, but IMO and IME, many indigenous boys are closer to their mates, and do better away from them, when someone else gets their ear.
Macca
Guest
"although IMO plenty of indigenous kids play better football away from home." Yeah it's an interesting one, some of them find it better to be away from "bad influences" of childhood friends etc and some really miss the closeness of family.
stabpass
Guest
Cheers, it was meant to be a light hearted reply, plenty of talk around Perth that Bennell wants to come home, although IMO plenty of indigenous kids play better football away from home.
Macca
Guest
Didn't mean to exclude that one ray of hope, just wasn't on the list I found. Of course there is hope, if they can prevent the likes of Bennell, Matera and Swallow leaving but that doesn't change the fact that this year wasn't as great as some would have you believe.
stabpass
Guest
As i suspected, only presenting 16/17 of all facts !!, so there is hope for the Suns, and BTW, i really think there is.
Macca
Guest
Apparently Ablett’s averaging 6.3 clearances a game (ranking him sixth in the competition) and the Gold Coast Suns as a whole 38 (ranking them a respectable eighth).
Macca
Guest
"This year I have no doubt the umpires, generally, burned the Gold Coast""the umpires lose their bias towards the newcomers." I would agree that the umpires have had a lot of bias towards the Suns in the games I have seen but I thought "burned" would indicate they shafted them?
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yes, I remember Port's debut year quite well. We all expected them to do about as well as what Port has done this year! But they really exceeded expectations, 10 wins first up was an amazing result and real tribute to everyone who was involved in the club those first couple of years.
Bayman
Guest
I guess it's a matter of opinion, like most things involving sport. Personally, I reckon Ablett, Bock and, maybe, Rischitelli have paid their way. Brennan has promised more than he delivered and Harbrow seems an expensive luxury (too one-sided and error prone). Campbell Brown has been no more than handy. The youngsters, though, have generally shown a bit. Certainly enough to think they'll be better next year with another pre-season behind them. This is a team with considerable talent. It just needs some experience, and muscle, to make the contest more interesting for longer. This year I have no doubt the umpires, generally, burned the Gold Coast. It will be very interesting in the next couple of years to see this turn around as the team becomes more competitive and the umpires lose their bias towards the newcomers. The interesting feature of AFL today is the fact that the GC Suns, with three wins, are seen as generally playing above expectation. It was only fifteen years ago that another first year team, Port Adelaide, won 10 games and finished ninth. Has the standard risen or fallen since then?
stabpass
Guest
What about clearances, have you got that one, i heard they were Ok, but looking at all those ...... maybe not!.
Macca
Guest
Just a little. I just want those who keep saying how brilliant and magnificent the Suns have been this year to keep a little bit of perspective.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
So you're saying that there's a little room for improvement?
Macca
Guest
Right now it would be wider, at the start of next year after another pre season it will be narrower than it was at the start of next season but still significant. But those stats don't just point to a gap between them and the top sides it is them and every side, least possessions, least tackles, least hit out's least points for, most points against it's all bad.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Macca, Theres a gap between the Suns and the quality sides of the AFL - but is that gap wider or narrower than it was at round one ?
Macca
Guest
Some GCS Stats Ranked 17th in Kicks Per Game Ranked 15th in Disposals Per Game Ranked 16th in Marks Per Game Ranked 17th in Points Per Game Ranked 17th in Tackles Per Game Ranked 17th in Hitouts Per Game Ranked 17th in least Opponent Kicks Per Game Ranked 17th in least Opponent Handballs Per Game Ranked 17th in least Opponent Disposals Per Game Ranked 17th in least Opponent Marks Per Game Ranked 17th in least Opponent Points Per Game Ranked 14th in least Opponent Hitouts Per Game Ranked 17th in Team to Opponent Kicks Per Game Diff. Ranked 16th in Team to Opponent Handballs Per Game Diff. Ranked 17th in Team to Opponent Disposals Per Game Diff. Ranked 17th in Team to Opponent Marks Per Game Diff. Ranked 17th in Team to Opponent Points Per Game Diff. Ranked 13th in Team to Opponent Tackles Per Game Diff. Ranked 17th in Team to Opponent Hitouts Per Game Diff.