THERE'LL be no problems with cohesion for Gold Coast on Saturday night, despite unveiling six new faces against the Brisbane Lions, coach Rodney Eade says.
The Suns confirmed the debuts of draftees Ben Ainsworth and Jack Bowes on Thursday, as Pearce Hanley, Michael Barlow, Jarrod Witts and Jarryd Lyons also prepare for their first games after off-season moves.
Eade made a point of playing his best available team right through the pre-season and says he liked the continuity.
"I think you'll find most teams after rounds one, two and three will have some areas to work on, so I don't think it's going to be absolutely perfect," he said.
"But I think the way the new guys have integrated with the players has been terrific, and they've shown some leadership and got some form behind them, so I think it'll be ok."
Hanley will play against his former club after a strong pre-season, while Barlow has already forced his way into the Suns' leadership group.
Eade said Ainsworth and Bowes won their spots on a combination of talent and hard work.
With David Swallow also playing his first premiership match in more than 18 months, Eade agreed he now had a team that could realistically push for the top eight.
He denied there was any extra significance in a win over the Lions.
"There's been a bit of rivalry built up, but sometimes it can be a bit of hot air as well," Eade said.
"It's about putting your head over the ball and winning the footy, so that's what we're focused on, we're focused on us.
"It's four points we need to get, whether that's against Hawthorn or Brisbane or Geelong, that doesn't matter."