Suns AFLW: The Gold Coast Suns have vowed to learn from their 70 point AFLW semi-final loss to Fremantle

The Suns have vowed to learn from their disappointing semi-finals exit after their debut AFLW season came to a grinding halt with a 70 point thumping at the hands of Fremantle.

THE Suns have vowed to learn from their disappointing semi-finals exit after their debut AFLW season came to a grinding halt with a 70-point thumping by Fremantle.

It comes after the AFLW made the decision yesterday to cancel the remainder of the season and not award a 2020 premier due to growing coronavirus fears.

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Returning to Perth for the second time in two weeks, the Suns were competitive early but failed to contain a rampaging Dockers forward line after half time in Perth on Saturday.

Suns players leave the field dejected after being defeated during the AFLW semi final 4 match between the Fremantle Dockers and Gold Coast Suns at Fremantle Oval in Perth, Saturday, March 21, 2020. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

The 12.8 (80) to 1.4 (10) loss saw the curtain fall on the Suns’ impressive opening season but coach David Lake has declared his young side will be better for the finals heartbreak.

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“Every good ride comes to an end somewhere and we’ve been on a hell of a ride,” he said.

“We got a good look at what’s ahead of us and the work we need to do.

“For our young girls and our older girls to play inside a game like that, what a great experience to now lock into your mind and say that’s the level we need to get to.

“I don’t think any of them turned up and didn’t have a go, we got beaten by a better football side.

“Right to the end, we were still trying to have a crack.”

David Lake, head coach of the Gold Coast Suns is seen during the AFLW semi final 4 match between the Fremantle Dockers and Gold Coast Suns at Fremantle Oval in Perth, Saturday, March 21, 2020. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Despite being tasked with a gruelling travel schedule, which included trips to Melbourne, Mackay and back-to-back visits to Perth in the past fortnight, Lake was comfortable with the way his troops turned up each week.

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“It’s not like a stats sheet, you can’t measure it,” he said.

“Our young players and their energy inside our group have carried us a long way and we’ve all jumped on the back of that and ridden it so to complain about the four trips would be wrong.”

Suns players enter the field before the start of play during the AFLW semi final 4 match between the Fremantle Dockers and Gold Coast Suns at Fremantle Oval in Perth, Saturday, March 21, 2020. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright) \

Indicative of their brave inaugural season, the Suns’ defence held strong and kept them in the game throughout a hard-fought opening half before a flurry of Fremantle goals before the main break broke open the game.

Winger Paige Parker kicked the Suns’ sole goal after smothering a clearing kick, pushing on to receive a handball receive from Jamie Stanton and running into an open goal.

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Suns midfielder Jacqui Yorston worked hard all day and finished with 22 touches, while Jade Pregelj was ever reliable down back.

Tiarna Ernst and Jasmyn Hewett were both ruled out of the bruising clash with concussion, while Kate Surman recovered from a kick to the ribs to gather 20 disposals and finish as one of the Suns’ best.