The next step in Gold Coast’s development is to score more, writes Alastair Lynch

There have been some promising signs at Gold Coast this season but while the vibe around the club has been positive there’s still a long road ahead towards stability, writes Alastair Lynch.

The Suns still need help to retain their top players. Picture: AAP

Gold Coast has made some ground in Stuart Dew’s second year at the helm both on and off the field and have impressed many, but they are still a long way off being able to push towards the top eight.

I think internally they would realise that and hopefully the AFL does too.

Defence is always priority one and anyone who watches the Suns can see they are much harder to score against this year and I feel this is why they have exceeded expectations of much of the footy world.

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In 2017 (before Dew arrived) the Suns conceded 105 points per game. Last year it was 99 and in 2019 it’s down to 86, with many stars having left in recent years.

They play a tough, contested stoppage-based game which also means they have to work harder than most to score goals.

This takes a toll during the game resulting in a young team desperately trying to hang on in fourth quarters as we saw against the Saints in Townsville.

The second half of the year should be about entering the next phase of their development and opening up their locked-in game style to create more scoring.

The Suns have made gradual progress in Stuart Dew’s second season. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane won just five games last year but they increased their crowds and membership because they played an exciting brand of footy.

Chris Fagan arrived in Brisbane with fixing the Lions’ defence his first challenge.

In 2016 (the year before Fagan’s appointment) Brisbane conceded 130 points per game. That was reduced to 114 in his first season and 93 last year.

If Gold Coast evolve its solid defensive base and add more outside run and more free-scoring, they may be more capable of hanging on and winning close games.

That would entertain a supporter base that is already reinvigorated by its spirited defence.

It also helps when trying to convince out-of-contract stars they are not a side that just hangs in, but one who can win games and push up the ladder.

The Suns did well by taking the time to send coach Stuart Dew and his footy manager Jon Haines to all major media outlets to give off-the-record briefings on the coach’s game plan, the club’s list management strategy and the work they are doing on culture and leadership.

Armed with that knowledge, commentators and analysts are seeing beyond the smaller margins and recognising how Gold Coast’s young side is developing and adhering to the coach’s plan.

That is clearly being reflected in the positive media that surrounds a club that has won just three games.

But I hope the AFL doesn’t hear that and think the hard work has been done.

The Suns still need help.

Jack Martin, one of the Suns’ best players, is still yet to re-sign. Picture: AAP

I believe support and funding for the academies must continue to be increased to create a greater flow of elite talent coming out of Queensland – and importantly the local teams then having greater access to them beyond the small discount via the draft.

There is a feeling that access to local academy talent will only get more restricted but this should be opened up in favour of the Suns and the Lions.

It should not matter if the rest of the competition thinks it is unfair, the league will never be a level playing field when some clubs are based in rugby league states and others are not.

Victorian clubs always have travel advantages and the Grand Final is always in Melbourne.

Player retention is still a huge issue so the priority is to increase local content on Queensland clubs’ lists.

Jack Martin and Callum Ah Chee, two of Gold Coast’s best players, are out of contract and have yet to re-sign.

None of their three top-10 draft picks – Izak Rankine, Jack Lukosius and Ben King have re-signed.

The Suns continue to impress but there is a long way to go on and off the field.

Building on the greatly improved defence with more scoring and building on increased grassroots participation by developing more elite local talent that play and stay on Queensland is the next step.

Originally published as The next step in Gold Coast’s development is to score more, writes Alastair Lynch