Gold Coast closer to home in QClash against Brisbane

GOLD Coast coach Stuart Dew says last week’s loss to West Coast was not up to standard but believes the bonds formed on the road will serve the Suns well into the future.

Suns coach Stuart Dew (right) holds the QClash trophy with Brisbane coach Chris Fagan. Picture: Peter Wallis

GOLD Coast coach Stuart Dew says being on “autopilot’’ for the first half of the 2018 season could be the long-term making of the Suns.

The AFL’s version of the Leyland Brothers will be the closest they have come to a home game when they take on Brisbane in the QClash at the Gabba this Sunday after the first four rounds took them to Cairns, Melbourne and back-to-back matches in Perth.

With Metricon Stadium out of action due to the Commonwealth Games, the Suns will not step on their home turf at Carrara until Round 11 when they host Geelong on June 2.

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Dew said the loss to West Coast last week was disappointing and not up to standard, but believes the bonds formed during the three-month roadshow will serve the Suns well into the future.

“Barring the results, in terms of the group and the feel and the closeness, the time in Perth was good. We’ve been at Bond University for five or six weeks and move back soon and it’s actually been a really good exercise for the football club,’’ he said.

“Players get into a routine ... we’ve had to change every week and be flexible so I think it’s been good for the group to actually (realise) things aren’t that bad and things aren’t as rough.

“They’ve got a pretty good lifestyle and opportunity.”

Jack Bowes tackles West Coast’s Jamie Cripps last week. Picture: AAP

Dew said travel is simply not an excuse for poor performances in the modern-day AFL.

“I’ve been a part of Port Adelaide and Sydney, it (travel) is part of the job anyway. Even the Victorian clubs get on a plane,’’ he said.

“You don’t sit there and keep track of how many flights. It’s part of the job and we’ve got processes and routines.

“In that way, if you pardon the pun, we are a little bit on autopilot in terms of getting to the airport, get to the game and try and win.’’

Dew is well versed in what derby matches mean to clubs having played for Port Adelaide and being an assistant coach with Sydney.

This is Dew’s first QClash, while Lions counterpart Chris Fagan is in his third Queensland derby.

“It always means a little bit more for supporters and members and the club and the state in general. That’s the exciting part I think and that’s why we can’t wait for Sunday,’’ he said.

“We see it as an opportunity to get four points and turn the corner after this five weeks at 3-2.

“Both clubs are wanting to respond which should make for a good contest.’’

Originally published as Gold Coast closer to home in QClash against Brisbane