Hugh Greenwood was outstanding in the Suns' round four loss. Image: goldcoastfc.com.au
Gold Coast Suns coach Stuart Dew says his side still has room to improve, despite winning the clearance count with a severely undermanned ruck department.
The Suns fell well short in the hitouts in their 11-point loss to Carlton, registering 21 to the Blues’ 63, but came out on top in the clearance count, accumulating 46 to the Blues’ 39.
However, Dew remained modest post-game about his side’s clearance work, highlighting it as an area for improvement.
“Although we won the clearances, we weren’t able to capitalise,” he said.
“If we wanted to go into the game and take that result purely as a clearance number, we would have taken it absolutely.
“Sometimes the numbers are deceiving because the quality and the amount of pressure can be different.”
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Noah Anderson and Hugh Greenwood recorded 10 clearances each, with Anderson collecting 30 disposals, and Greenwood 27, ten tackles and a goal.
Dew shared high praise for Greenwood after the match, lauding his versatility and willingness to help the team.
“Hugh was unbelievable tonight,” Dew said.
“He’s in some really good form, Hugh, and really doing what the team needs.
“He’s playing as a standard mid, a couple of times he had to take ruck work, so it shows he’s… all for the team.”
Jack Bowes was also outstanding for the Suns with 34 disposals, 31 of which were kicks, alongside nine marks and 637 metres gained.
Touk Miller also starred with 28 disposals and 13 tackles, while Brandon Ellis accumulated 26 disposals and eight marks, and Lachie Weller 25 disposals and nine marks.
Looking to the round five match-up against the in-form Western Bulldogs, Dew backed the playing group to bounce back and enter the game with confidence.
“We’ve got to pick ourselves up, we can’t feel sorry for ourselves, we’ll stick together and get going,” he said.
“It’s a good test for us, we think that our group’s really tight, and up for it.
“We’re not concerned, because we think they’ve got the right attitude and they put in the work.”
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