Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew is assured his proud midfield group will rebound from final week’s horror present because the Suns look to remain within the hunt for a maiden AFL finals look.
With co-captain Touk Miller (hamstring) nonetheless sidelined, highly-touted Suns Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson got a lesson by Carlton’s hungry on-ball division in a 59-point thrashing.
It left Gold Coast combating to maintain their top-eight dream alive with a 6-7 report.
But Dew expects a robust response from his engine room in Sunday’s conflict with Hawthorn at Heritage Bank Stadium.
“That group in particular has been the one that has pulled us out of a hole more than a couple of times this year,” Dew stated.
“I would expect exactly the same response. That group there are very proud and they’ll get back to work.
“They do not go on the market to play that means and we have got to present credit score to Carlton – they stepped it up and received the leap on us within the centre bounces.
“I’m pretty keen for our midfielders to go to work again.”
The Suns swung the axe, making 4 modifications – three of them unforced – for his or her first outing at their common dwelling venue since spherical eight.
Alex Davies, Tom Berry and Rory Atkins had been all dropped after the Carlton loss and Joel Jeffrey (foot) is out injured.
Lachie Weller has overcome a knee harm to play his first recreation since spherical seven whereas Sam Flanders, Brandon Ellis and Hewago Oea have been recalled.
“We dropped one last week and we get another opportunity to get four points and keep some momentum,” Dew stated.
“Our body of work recently has been strong, so bounce-back is important.
“It’s an ideal likelihood to be again at dwelling … so we’re anticipating to play very well and play our type for so long as attainable.”
Dew will do battle with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell – one of his 2008 premiership teammates – for the third time.
The pair have split their previous encounters 1-1.
“He’s received Hawthorn enjoying the way in which he desires them to play … you’ll be able to actually see what they’re attempting to do,” Dew stated.
“They play an aggressive model of footy, fairly attacking, and within the final month they’ve really constructed some consistency in that house.
“Even before then you could see some signs in quarters and halves, which you get from a young team.
“But now they’re enjoying with a little bit of freedom and a few confidence, so that they’re at all times harmful.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
