Gold Coast may have simply packed it in when Ben Long was pinged for off-the-ball contact on Cody Weightman in Darwin.
The Western Bulldogs ahead’s gamesmanship of their conflict final month sparked cries of milking, however resulted in a purpose that put his aspect inside one level of the Suns.
Minutes earlier, Ben Ainsworth had given away a doubtful 50m penalty for overstepping the mark that led to a different Bulldogs purpose.
Hometown favorite Long, enjoying in entrance of a big group of household and pals at TIO Stadium, was livid.
But the 25-year-old St Kilda recruit wasn’t allowed to dwell, fiercely snapped again to motion by a defensive unit confidently marshalled by All-Australian smoky Charlie Ballard and vice-captain Sam Collins.
The Suns steadied to win by seven factors after which ran down a fast-starting Adelaide every week later to finish a powerful fortnight within the Northern Territory.
“Yeah definitely, that was a huge moment for us,” Long instructed AAP of his teammates’ response to the Weightman purpose.
“And there’s been a few games like that where momentum has gone against us but we haven’t changed our attitude or let the scoreboard get to us.
“Chuckie (Ballard) and Collo down there are our large boys and leaders. We all have our moments, however we’re very linked and simply go repeatedly.”
“Collo’s a sizzling head, but it surely’s good for us. He’s fairly ruthless and aggressive and it is superior to play with him.”
Since their Darwin stay, the Suns have been thumped by Carlton and responded with a big win of their own against Hawthorn.
They are now 7-7 and just outside the top eight ahead of a tough run of games against Collingwood (first), Port Adelaide (second) and St Kilda (fifth).
The Suns have made a habit of falling away after their mid-year bye in recent seasons but the tricky trio of games isn’t daunting Long, who has arrived after six years with St Kilda.
“Our greatest competes with the perfect and we have proven that earlier within the season,” he stated.
“In the previous a fade out has occurred; it is there within the background.
“But you look at how well we’re training and putting that out on game day.
“We’ve acquired some good groups developing, however we’ll deliver our sport and go once more.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
