Emotional AFL win no sugar hit for Gold Coast: King

Gold Coast interim coach Steven King insists his aspect’s depth throughout an emotional defeat of St Kilda could be maintained and that “something is feasible” with a maiden finals berth nonetheless on the desk.

The Suns beat the Saints by 26 factors on Saturday to cap per week that began with the sacking of head coach Stuart Dew.

Dew was axed with a season to run on his contract by a board that believes there’s a hole between the place the aspect sits on the ladder and the place they need to be.

However after their complete win the Suns improved to 8-9, only one win and share exterior the highest eight.

Two extra wins within the closing six rounds would equal final yr’s club-best marketing campaign whereas 5 extra would possible lock in a maiden finals look.

Victory got here after back-to-back thumpings towards prime two sides Collingwood and Port Adelaide, however King stated Saturday’s efficiency wasn’t a one-out.

“By way of a sugar hit, we have performed a few actually useful groups the final two weeks,” King stated.

“One (Collingwood) wasn’t nice however I believed final week towards Port … there was sufficient in that recreation to recommend these boys can play towards anybody after we’re on the correct path.”

Jack Lukosius kicked 4 targets and unlikely pair Rory Atkins (32 disposals, two targets) and Sam Flanders (33 disposals, 5 clearances) starred for the Suns.

The off-contract Flanders was drafted with star duo Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson and King stated he had proven there was a spot for him on this aspect too.

“Generally a participant simply wants that breakout recreation to really feel like they belong,” King, a Geelong premiership ruckman, stated.

“I feel Sammy typically can, not strive too arduous however (he was) simply chasing that breakout recreation and I feel he is simply taken a deep breath, realised any position he performs for us as a workforce is valued and he will get the rewards.

“He is a really precious younger member of our workforce and we’re actually a greater workforce when he is in it.”

King, who additionally gained a premiership throughout 10 years as an assistant at Western Bulldogs, stated he loved his first expertise “within the large chair”.

“At the moment was essential to start out that journey collectively; I feel something is feasible,” he stated of their season.

There’s an unlimited quantity of expertise right here and I used to be simply rapt to see them benefit from the recreation right this moment and play for each other.

“Recollections on this recreation aren’t all the time optimistic there’s some stuff that punches you within the face typically however that may make the group tighter as nicely.”

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