Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna has blasted his side after their 95-point AFL loss to St Kilda on Saturday night, labelling their performance “totally unacceptable”.
McKenna said he believed his charges “gave it in” during their 21.18 (144) to 7.7 (49) thrashing at the hands of the Saints at Metricon Stadium.
McKenna was scathing in his review of his team’s current form after the match which followed last week’s drubbing by Collingwood.
“Probably only three fellas could have come off the ground and held their head high,” McKenna said.
“We spoke about effort and fight and standing our ground tonight, and that was totally unacceptable.”
McKenna said he was disappointed in the side’s performance; particularly their fading in the second quarter as the Saints easily began to run away with the contest leading into halftime.
“That final period of 10 to 15 minutes before halftime it certainly looked like they gave it in, they turned their toes up.”
When asked if that was the first time he had seen that happen, McKenna answered: “I reckon with this group, yeah.”
McKenna also stated that he would love to pick up his players and move them to Melbourne so they could get a full grasp of the criticism aimed in their direction.
“I think up here we get sheltered by the media and the players have got to really start to realise that we’re in this competition and it’s full of men, and we’ve got to stop turning up and performing like that, that’s for sure.
“There comes a time when enough’s enough. We need to stand up for ourselves.
“If anything we stand up for ourself rather than actually giving to the team, and that’s the issue we’ve got to deal with and deal with quickly.”
McKenna questioned whether his team had the character to show the necessary fight to be competitive in the AFL.
“We’ve got to bring out their individual character so it matches and marries our team character, and as I said, we were lacking in that department.”
The Suns – who at one stage in the second quarter pulled back to within a goal of the Saints after trailing by 18 at the first change – could not keep up once the Saints found their groove in the second half.
The Saints return to the top eight with the victory, with captain Nick Riewoldt celebrating his 500th career goal with a seven-goal haul for the match.
Brewski
Roar Rookie
You are possibly right about expansion, but alternatively, the AFL has taken a long term view with building rather than plonking a team full of rejects and a couple of mercenarys. IMO i think the teams will be OK, the Suns will turn it around, there is no alternative really. Expect to see them record a few wins shortly, if your a punter get on them in the near future, in the future the players will be shielded less and less from the media and club scrutiny.
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
As a league fan with an interest in and enjoyment of AFL , my "interest in and enjoyment of" watching the Suns and GWS (ieHunt & Folau) diminishes with each week. The only real curiosity is in seeing how much they lose by each week. I cant see these clubs being around in 10 years time. Like Hitler's obsession with Stalingrad, the AFL's over expansion may end in ruin.
Mike
Guest
Thats an incredible spray from the coach about his players, I'm not sure if it says more about the coach or the players. It does however show what sort of pressure these two new clubs are under getting flogged week in, week out. The model of boys against men is clearly not working and the goodwill and soft press for the GCS has just about ended. This dosen't auger well for GWS next year who have already used up plenty of goodwill.
Brewski
Roar Rookie
@ Gleeso, interestingly there are more born and bred QLDers on the GC Suns list than there are on the Titans list, bit of a suprise for a troll like you, i would imagine, it makes a mockery of your argument.
Brewski
Roar Rookie
The strength of local AF at both community level and the fact that there are over 50 players from QLD in the AFL suggests you are very wrong about the lack of QLD culture in our native game. The oldest football club in QLD is also an Australian football one, i guess before the blows in from England turned up with their game !.
GCS
Guest
The Titans are only pulling in the same crowds as the Suns, so its hardly Qld culture. Might be an idea to go and watch them though, while they are still around.
NF
Guest
Yikes I feel the Suns might turn into the North QLD Cowboys of the AFL in particular the early years. 95-00 (3 wooden spoons). I have a feeling Suns might get themselves a few more spoons.
Republican
Guest
Talent perhaps spread a tad thinly and yet there is already alot of premature talking up the next expansion - to NZ!
Gleeso
Guest
Wayno, why dont you watch the titans? They are actually from the Gold Coast, they are winning games and they may break into the 8. I get that you are probably from Victoria and headed up for the warm weather, but then you could adopt the Qld culture rather than to bring your baggage with you.
GCS
Guest
I agree that they probably should have tried to pick up some established players in the second season, but maybe they were stung by the lack of input from some of the guys they got from the first season. I still prefer this scenario compared to what the Bears had. At least there is hope that some of these 18, 19, 20 year olds can turn into good long term players. If they draft well over the next couple of years, then things can turn around pretty quickly.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
GCS The club took only 8 or 9 established players in their first season, and basically picked up no one in their second season - that's the route they've taken - it looked like a mistake back then, and it has proven to be one. It was obvious from the start that if 3 or 4 of those established players got injured, the suns were going to be in trouble - and that's before we even get to the poor form of blokes like Brennan, Fraser and Brown. Seriously - things are so dire, Hunt is in your top half of better players - that's serious!! ps - I'm a supporter of expansion to the gold coast - but the recruitment hasn't worked out as well as it should have
Brewski
Roar Rookie
What they need is the blowtorch put on them, by their fans and media alike, watch em play a bit better then, they need to be competetive, they need to win a few, lose a few by close margins , get thumped in a couple, and fans will generally be happy with their progress.
Wayno
Guest
Try living on the GC watching our team get thrashed live week in week out, knowing there's other great games in progress we could be watching. They need to keep AFL supporters interested, sorry but watching the Suns each week, isnt going to fill that need.
GCS
Guest
Cattery, you can't compare the Suns to the Bears. The Bears were full of established players, so its a different kettle of fish. Missing Bock, Swallow and Harbrow has made it tougher for them, and they just don't have the depth to cover them. If they are in the same boat this time next year, then I will start being harsher, but I'm prepared to take a long term view.
Tom of Darwin
Guest
i do think they will not be successful but that is not the point, its just stupid to blame the best player.
Tom of Darwin
Guest
Kuriki - what a ridiculous comment, you clearly don't watch footy or have any idea of the value of ablett. I can't think of a better player to have that would contemplate going to the suns. Justify your answer or don't bother with your trolling. The suns will be judged over three years, five years and ten years, not over individual losses.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
That's 13 consecutive losses at Carrara for the Suns - worse than anything the Bears managed when they first played there. Well into their second season, and the suns are showing very little.
Brewski
Roar Rookie
Coach says they are shielded by the media, which is probably the case, they will turn it around, Brown should go, but i am betting that they turn it around next week. Young players with all the talent in the world still have to get in and get the ball, it's a tough game, not enough inside midfielders perhaps.
Lazy Ted Failyou
Guest
They need a new coach, pure and simple. Does anyone seriously believe a Malthouse would get results like McKenna is getting? Exactly the same thing goes for Carlton. You only have to look at the Crows to see what a difference better management does for an outfit.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Very close to a brand new low for the suns