David Swallow leads from front but admits Richmond loss was ‘as bad as it’s been’ in a while

David Swallow is pulling his weight, but the loss to Richmond was bad. Really bad. And the Gold Coast leader says while it’s hard to come into work, his team has no option as it tries to respond.

David Swallow and Jarrod Witts are leading from the front. Pic: Getty Images

Dave Swallow was one player exempt from any harsh scrutiny from the Suns’ shocking loss to Richmond on Saturday.

But typically of the foundation Sun and the club’s first No.1 draft pick, he has placed himself firmly in the firing line.

His coach Stuart Dew reckons he can ask no more of the 26-year-old — saying after the match that Swallow and fellow skipper Jarrod Witts had once again proven the club made the right choice with its third instalment of captains after they fought side-by-side and basically without support in the 92-point hiding.

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Richmond dominated every aspect of Saturday’s game except the one that demonstrates fight the best — contested possessions.

Witts with the 15 and Swallow’s 13 were the two highest tallies for the game.

But Swallow reckons he could have played better and also believes he can do more for the team by improving the way he leads.

“You would always like to be going better, you are never really happy with where you are at,’’ he said.

“I am trying to lead from the front and on the weekend it was tough.

“So I have got to work on aspects of my leadership and not only lead by example but be demanding of others, that is certainly an area of growth for myself.’’

Swallow has seen it all on the Gold Coast.

Saturday’s effort, where they let Richmond rack up 103 points by half-time, would have taken him back to year one when Geelong and Essendon both reached the ton in half a game.

The loss hurt and embarrassed Swallow but it has not sapped his confidence.

The Suns were belted, but David Swallow pulled his weight. Pic: AAP

“That was as bad as it has been in a long while,’’ he said.

“But I am super confident we can respond, we just have to take confidence from the steps we have taken this year. As bad as we were, we can’t get disheartened.

“I think we have had poor quarters this year but we have generally been pretty competitive and we think people have come to expect we are a team that will fight.’’

Swallow said he wanted to know his teammates were hurting but stressed the true demonstration of their care for the club would be in the way they responded against Adelaide on Saturday.

“It is definitely embarrassing, it is hard after a loss like that to come in to work,’’ he said.

“But by the same token you have got to dust off and front up at training and sit through some edits that you are not proud of.

“You have to go through that process, face up to what has happened and respond.

“It is all about actions now.’’