Suns coach David Lake has urged his side to keep making “statements” after another honourable 13 point loss against North Melbourne

Suns coach David Lake has backed his emerging side to continue making “statements” against the AFLW’s best after another honourable 13 point loss against North Melbourne on Saturday in Melbourne.

SUNS coach David Lake has backed his emerging side to continue making “statements” against the AFLW’s best after another honourable 13 point loss against North Melbourne on Saturday in Melbourne.

PHYSICAL SUNS FALL JUST SHORT AGAINST ROOS

They may be one of the AFLW premiership favourites, but the Kangaroos’ Arden Street homecoming wasn’t without its nervous moments as the tenacious Suns remained unnerved by their opponents and fought until the dying stages.

Suns players celebrate during the round four AFLW match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Gold Coast Suns at Arden Street Oval on February 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/ via Getty Images)

The margin stood at a mere four points early in the fourth quarter after defender Lauren Ahrens kicked her first AFLW goal on the back of a 50-metre penalty but an upset away victory wasn’t to be, North small forward Daisy Bateman kicking the winning goal late.

Watch every match of the 2020 NAB AFLW Season LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

“Last week was challenge and response, and this week was challenge and response again,” Lake said after the match.

“We won the second half, and what we do know about us is we keep coming.

“That’s gold when you’re a coach, that’s what your team is going to do.

“We’re not here to make up numbers, trust me, and we’ll keep making statements every week.”

SUNS FRIGHTENING WARNING TO AFLW RIVALS

Lake was quick to draw comparison to the Suns’ gusty draw against the Brisbane Lions in Round 3, believing his side will be better for the experience of another brush with an unlikely victory.

“Having gone through it the week before, having the opportunity to put Brisbane away and not quite getting there, we were in the same place again,” he said.

“The dam wall will eventually break, it might not be this week, but it might break next week.

“All the girls, the collective is learning at the same rate and the distance between good and bad in a game is not wide.”

Leah Kaslar of the Suns in action during the Round 4 AFLW match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Gold Coast Suns at Arden Street Oval in Melbourne, Saturday, February 29, 2020. (AAP Image/Sean Garnsworthy)

Co-captain Leah Kaslar added: “We did show we were at that level to play against them but we need to be able to sustain that for a game.”

WHAT SUNS NEED TO DO TO MAKE FINALS

The Suns continue their AFLW campaign on Friday night against Geelong in Mackay.