Damien Hardwick accepts blame for Gold Coast’s QClash defeat to Brisbane Lions

Damien Hardwick has revealed details of Gold Coast’s QClash inquisition and how his side will avoid repeating the mistakes it made against a battered Brisbane.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 05: Josh Dunkley of the Lions celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 08 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast SUNS at The Gabba on May 05, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Damien Hardwick says he and his coaching group are as much to blame as the players for Gold Coast’s sub-par performance in Sunday’s QClash defeat to Brisbane at the Gabba.

Hardwick cut a frustrated figure in his post-match press conference lamenting the breakdown of the Suns’ system among other key areas.

After some soul searching in the days following the 34-point defeat, the Suns coach was happy to put his hand up and take some responsibility for the performance.

“It was a good lesson for me as a coach. I should have been across it quicker than I was,” Hardwick conceded.

“It took me a half to get it sorted and even then, we still didn’t get some things right as a coach and coaching group.

“Good lessons for the players and also good lessons for the coaches as well. Sometimes we don’t get things right and as a result we get picked apart.”

Josh Dunkley celebrates a goal during Brisbane’s QClash win. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brisbane burst out of the blocks, booting five first-quarter goals to the Suns’ one and never really looked troubled throughout the contest, even in the face of three first-half injuries that left the Lions with just two fit players on the bench.

“I was really flat on myself after the game reviewing it thinking I didn’t pick it up quick enough and rectify it,” Hardwick said.

“We’re not going to be perfect, but we expect to be a little better than we were on the weekend.

“From a systems point of view it shouldn’t happen, but it did.”

After halftime Hardwick moved the magnets around searching for a spark.

One of those was a return to the forward line for Jack Lukosius, who had been redeployed as a defender under Hardwick despite booting 39 goals last season.

The 23-year-old looked the Suns’ most dangerous forward after the switch and Hardwick revealed he had seen enough to pull the pin on the experiment in defence.

“I spoke to Luko last night and I tried to use the Happy Days metaphor with the Fonz … you know, (when) the Fonz couldn’t say the word ‘wrong’,” he said.

“He’ll move forward this week. From my point of view, we tried him back, he went forward and looked really dynamic, looked a class above, so he’ll play forward this week.

“Hopefully it’s a long term one and the coach doesn’t get his head on again and put him down back.

Jack Lukosius and Jed Walter compete for a mark against Brisbane. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“We had a really good conversation. One thing I pride myself on is I’m open and honest that I don’t get things right all the time.

“I like to be very strong in my decisions, but it doesn’t mean they’re right all the time, so we went through that.”

Hardwick said the Suns would take a squad of “24 or 25” to Darwin for the two games against North Melbourne and Geelong.

The coach added there would be “some changes” to the 23 for Saturday’s clash with the Kangaroos but would not go into detail, other than to confirm Bailey Humphrey would return after he was rested against the Lions.

Originally published as Damien Hardwick accepts blame for Gold Coast’s QClash defeat to Brisbane Lions