Suns heartbreak in AFL opener

Gold Coast have fallen just shy of completing a perfect start to the AFL season, losing to St Kilda by a point in Melbourne.

SUNS coach Stuart Dew says Gold Coast will be kicking themselves when they look back on a series of game defining moments that cost them a Round 1 win over St Kilda.

A missed mark by debutant Chris Burgess and a decision to centre the ball instead of going for goal when the Suns were a point down by Peter Wright in the final minutes were among a host of missed opportunities that could have cost the team in their 13.7 (85) to 13.6 (84) loss on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

“If Chris Burgess marks it we are probably not talking about (Wright),” Dew siad.

“It’s a tough shot for goal and brings the score equal then you can start to defend. A couple of minutes is a long time so I think we will have a look, talk about these situations that come up. Ideally he goes back and kicks the goal but he is probably wary of missing and maybe it going out on the full.

“We were finishing strong. We were plus-seven inside 50s for the last quarter. We were running the game out and gave ourselves a chance to win. Always when it’s one or two point you look back on moments.

“We gave up a couple of easy goals late in a couple of quarters.”

It’s been 652 days since both Queensland clubs Brisbane and Gold Coast won in the same premiership round, with the drought going back to Round 12 in 2017, and it looked like it could finally end when the Suns led early.

BIG Q&A WITH SUNS CAPTAIN

But knee injuries to co-captain David Swallow and developing midfielder Ben Ainsworth in the opening quarter put Gold Coast’s rotations under pressure and hampered their ability to lock the ball in the forward 50m.

The duo battled on bravely, with Swallow even putting the side in front with 10 minutes left, but it looks to have taken its toll.

Swallow was still limping post game and Ainsworth’s knee was in a brace as they wait to find out the extent of the damage.

“Our guys physically really boxed on and for Dave and Benny to play on in that situation and do what they did was really good. Dave is our captain and that’s the way he is,” Dew said.

Touk Miller of the Suns cleans up Jack Steven of the Saints 4th qtr. Pic: Michael Klein.

“Dave was in a tackle (when he was hurt) and Benny, when he was kicking, someone got him incidentally.

“It was important they were able to give us a bit and give us an opportunity to win the game.”

Gold Coast gave up a 31 point third quarter lead in Round 13 last year against St Kilda to lose but despite trailing and being hampered by injury, the side found a way to stay in the contest on Sunday.

SHARKS FALTER BUT WIN AGAIN

Dew was wary not to praise the desperation of the players or their ability to run out the game this time but added the effort will build trust in the group.

“We want to be careful of saying we’re proud of the effort when you don’t get the win,” Dew said.

“We set out this year to be competitive for the full game and as long as possible to give ourselves a chance to win.

“We didn’t get over the line. They start to earn trust when they see some things in key moments and look each other in the eye when they walk off.”

Gold Coast will return home to Metricon Stadium to play Fremantle in Round 2 next weekend.