Gold Coast Suns taking nothing for granted despite impressive recent form

The Gold Coast Suns aren’t getting cocky despite their good form, which has many tipping them to finish in the top eight this season.

Suns coach Stuart Dew isn’t taking success for granted. Picture: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew says Melbourne’s slump is a timely reminder to the in-form Suns to avoid complacency against the Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium on Sunday.

The Suns have won four of their past five games, and are considered genuine contenders to play finals football for the first time in the club’s history.

Coming off a bye, the Suns will start as warm favourites to beat the 15th-placed Crows this weekend.

And while Dew was delighted for the Suns to finally be regarded as a team good enough to finish in top eight, he pointed to the Demons’ recent struggles as proof that nothing can be taken for granted.

Having won 10 straight in a blistering start to the AFL season, the reigning premiers have lost three on the trot to lose top spot on the ladder.

We’re that keen to be back at @MetriconStadium this Sunday 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gpGfqEqqxN

— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) June 16, 2022

“We probably all sat here three weeks ago and thought Melbourne might be the team to go through (the season) undefeated,” Dew said.

“You drop your guard and the competition gives you a little reminder. We learn all the time from across the competition and make sure that we’re prepared … they’re all danger games.

“I say it every time – we plan for the opposition’s best and make sure we bring ours.

“What our process has been in the first half of the year needs to be the same in the second.”

In a boost for the Suns, Levi Casboult is set to return on Sunday after missing the club’s last-start win over North Melbourne with a calf injury.

However, with the Suns in good form, it’s not an easy side to get back into if you’ve missing games through injury or have been dropped.

“There’s a few guys playing well in the VFL, but when the seniors are delivering, they’ve just got to keep knocking on the door,” Dew said.

“And when the opportunity comes, be ready to take it.

“It’s good, healthy competition from within. The harder our job it is to pick a team, the better it is for the club.”

Former first-round draft selection Jack Bowes is among those biding his time in the VFL.

“We’ve trained him (Bowes) in the midfield and it’s a tough midfield to crack into at the moment,” Dew said.

“We haven’t closed the door on that. The preference going into this year was to see how he went in that midfield role, but he can definitely play down back … he is flexible.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Suns taking nothing for granted despite impressive recent form