‘Good, not great’: Mitchell wants more from Hawks as Hardwick hails Suns win as Rioli returns

Hawthorn walks off the ground after losing to the Suns.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hawks coach Sam Mitchell rued his side’s poor start but praised their late fightback after taking a loss in Darwin tonight.

“They obviously jumped us, we had a few issues in the first quarter,” Mitchell said.

“I thought we were well prepared and there wasn’t a lot of surprises in the game. They are a good side and played that way but we didn’t handle it early and they took all their chances.

“Then on the other side, you are really pleased that we got back in it and back in front, but then weren’t quite good enough for long enough to put away a good side.”

Mitchell added that he wasn’t getting too down as he liked his side’s fighting spirit.

“I’m a bit torn as we were 30 points down in the second quarter and it could easily have been a big loss so the character we showed, that we continued to execute to the best of our ability - there is a part of me that is pleased and proud of it but we are now where we want to go just yet,” Mitchell said.

“We’ve got work to do to beat the top sides and the Suns up here, they are in that category.

“We are a good side, not a great side. That is the great challenge now, the standards we hold each other to. If we continue to make those gains then we can compete with the very good sides when it matters most.”

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Malcolm Rosas, Daniel Rioli, Joel Jeffrey, Ben Long of the Suns celebrate after their win over Hawthorn.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Ben Long of the Suns celebrates a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Touk Miller has kicked two crucial goals in his 200th AFL game as Gold Coast enhanced their credentials further with an eight-point win over Hawthorn.

The top-four sides took turns dominating Thursday night’s clash in Darwin, the Hawks leading in the final quarter after going behind by 32 points in the second term.

But the Suns - chasing a maiden finals appearance - had the answers in a 16.8 (104) to 15.6 (96) win that jumped them ahead of the Hawks into second on the live ladder with a 7-2 record.

Miller (22 disposals, eight clearances, two goals) popped up with a major that pushed the lead to eight points late in the final quarter.

Northern Territory product Ben Long (four goals), halfback John Noble (36 disposals) and captain Noah Anderson (35, 12 clearances, one goal) starred as they made it 8-0 at the venue.

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Suns coach Damien Hardwick.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Suns coach Damien Hardwick took a phrase from Touk Miller’s dad and used it to inspire his side to their gutsy win over Hawthorn tonight.

Miller starred in his 200th game and going into the last quarter, Hardwick borrowed a phrase Miller’s dad had used during the week to urge his side to fight through the oppressive conditions.

“All gas, no breaks,” Hardwick recounted post game.

“It’s funny how the emotional connection, how much it can be significantly important in our time of need.

“I thought our last quarter was pretty good. We gave away some ordinary goals and then Marbs [Mabior Chol] kicked that goal and I thought “crikey that was a good one”.

“It was a great game of footy. Hopefully, the people at home got to enjoy one of the great games of the year.”

Touk Miller of the Suns is carried off after his 200th game.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hardwick said his side had shown their wins over Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn in Darwin showed they have grown as a team.

“We are excited to play against contenders and be on the winning end, it’s a sign of the growth we’ve been through as a footy club,” Hardwick said.

“We were disappointing in these kind of matches last year, we didn’t handle those moments in the way we would have liked but I think the growth is there for everyone to see.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the presentation from our 22 players for Touk Miller who is so important to our footy club. To get up and drag themselves over the line for that special individual was quiet a significant milestone for this club.”

Hardwick started his press conference but sending his and the club’s condolences to the family of Robert Walls following his death.

Hawthorn walks off the ground after losing to the Suns.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Hawks coach Sam Mitchell rued his side’s poor start but praised their late fightback after taking a loss in Darwin tonight.

“They obviously jumped us, we had a few issues in the first quarter,” Mitchell said.

“I thought we were well prepared and there wasn’t a lot of surprises in the game. They are a good side and played that way but we didn’t handle it early and they took all their chances.

“Then on the other side, you are really pleased that we got back in it and back in front, but then weren’t quite good enough for long enough to put away a good side.”

Mitchell added that he wasn’t getting too down as he liked his side’s fighting spirit.

“I’m a bit torn as we were 30 points down in the second quarter and it could easily have been a big loss so the character we showed, that we continued to execute to the best of our ability - there is a part of me that is pleased and proud of it but we are now where we want to go just yet,” Mitchell said.

“We’ve got work to do to beat the top sides and the Suns up here, they are in that category.

“We are a good side, not a great side. That is the great challenge now, the standards we hold each other to. If we continue to make those gains then we can compete with the very good sides when it matters most.”

Sam Clohesy of the Suns kicks a goal and celebrates with Matt Rowell.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Suns star John Noble was a pivotal player in Collingwood’s premiership season in 2023 and he has a special feeling about how his Gold Coast side are coming along this season.

Noble knows the Suns have plenty more growth to come but he senses their self-belief has never been higher.

“Throughout my footy career, particularly at Collingwood, there was a couple of times where I’ve had that gut feeling [about a team], it’s hard to explain,” Noble told Fox Footy.

“2023 was one of those times where everything seemed to be connecting, everyone seemed on the same page and your belief is through the roof. I’ve had that feeling a couple of times since coming up here.

“These last two wins [in Darwin] have been amazing and I’m so proud of the group. They’ve come such a long way in such a short time.

“To have a group that has so much belief is really awesome.”

John Noble of the Suns greets fans post game.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

The metres gained stat isn’t one that gets much coverage outside of AFL numbers nerds but Gold Coast’s John Noble looks to have set a league record tonight, passing 1000 metres gained.

According to Fox Footy, it is the first time a player has passed that mark but I’m waiting for confirmation of it.

Noble finished with 36 possessions for 1001 metres gained.

“I think the adrenaline is still going at the moment,” Noble told Fox Footy post-game.

“It was an incredible game. To be a part of Touk’s 200th and see the club and the history and what he’s gone through - I’m so proud to be a part of that win.”

Gold Coast’s Ben Long takes a Mark of the Year contender against Hawthorn.Credit: Seven

Suns star Ben Long was modest about his mark of the year contender tonight praising his teammates for the kick and happily claiming the mark along with four goals.

“Banger [Ben Ainsworth] lobbed it up for me and I just took my moment, I don’t take many, but I’ll take that,” Long told Fox Footy.

Long added that the Suns weren’t scared at three-quarter time despite knowing the Hawks were coming for them.

“We were laughing, we love those moments,” Long said.

“Hopefully, that helps us as the season goes on.”

Touk Miller of the Suns.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Suns veteran Touk Miller has seen his side fall short before, so his praise was richly earned following the team’s win over Hawthorn in Darwin tonight.

Miller played his 200th AFL game for the Suns and was among their best in the win.

“You can list off the whole team, I’m so proud of where they are at at the moment and everyone understands their role and are buying in and building that identity,” Miller told Fox Footy.

“You get up for those games as much as you can but I have to give credit to the boys as they stuck to our system for the whole game and they came at us at times.

“But our grit and chemistry got us over the line.”

Touk Miller of the Suns kicks a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

The Suns have held on and scored a memorable win over the high-flying Hawks.

John Noble, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Ben Long and several others all played big roles in the win.