LIFE under new coach Stuart Dew has started with a bang for Gold Coast, hammering Geelong by 56 points in their JLT Community Series opener in Townsville on Sunday.
The Suns led by 21 points at quarter-time and were never challenged, winning 12.13 (85) to 3.11 (29) in windy conditions at Riverway Stadium.
Geelong was missing midfield aces Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and skipper Joel Selwood, but the Suns were mightily impressive nonetheless.
Dew was coaching his first senior game after replacing Rodney Eade and could hardly have asked for a better opening, aside from a late hamstring injury to livewire Sean Lemmens.
"I think we got out of the game everything we wanted, except Sean Lemmens," Dew said.
"Apart from that we delivered what we set out to do.
"We can only play what we played today. It was a low inside 50 game today for both teams, but I thought our defence held up."
Gold Coast pressured its opponents all over the field, looked cohesive and were well set-up for all four quarters.
JLT Community Series: When's your team playing?
Such was the Suns' pressure, Geelong was forced to overpossess for most of the afternoon, finishing with more handballs than kicks and struggling to string good passages of play together.
It was a performance done by committee by the new-look Suns, who were themselves without co-captain Steven May and prime midfielder David Swallow.
May's fellow captain Tom Lynch kicked a goal from a difficult angle in the opening minute of the match and the Suns were away.
Lemmens was a bright spark in the forward 50 before his injury, and his crunching tackle early in the first term led to a goal for Port Adelaide recruit Aaron Young.
WATCH: Lemmens brushes off a would-be tackler before kicking a brilliant goal
The tone was set.
Lemmens, Darcy MacPherson and Nick Holman (nine tackles) terrorised the Cats' defenders with their persistent chase and harassing.
Alex Sexton was one of four multiple goalkickers but could have many more than his 2.3 if he kicked straight, while Jarryd Lyons (22) topped the possession tally with good help from Aaron Hall and Touk Miller, who had 17 apiece.
Geelong tried hard – their effort could not be questioned – but lacked polish.
'It's never opportune to lose by that margin'
"It's never opportune to lose by that margin irrelevant of whether it's a pre-season game or a real match in the season proper," assistant coach Matthew Knights said.
"I thought we had some opportunities early in the game, we were quite good around the ball, went forward a few times and we just didn't hit the scoreboard.
"We were chasing the game for most of it."
Experienced defender Zach Tuohy was arguably their best player, but draftees Tim Kelly and Charlie Constable showed plenty of promise.
WATCH: Aaron Hall launches a long bomb
WHAT WE LEARNED
Gold Coast: Stuart Dew has put his stamp on the Suns already. They're going to be a high-pressure, high-pace, high-intensity team. Whether at the contest – where they forced Geelong to overpossess the ball – pressuring in the forward line or flooding back in numbers to help defence, the Suns will play with energy. It's a trait they've struggled to consistently deliver over seven seasons, but Dew's men are off to a good start.
Geelong: If this match was any indication, the Cats are again going to rely heavily on their 'Big Three' to push the competition's better teams. Without Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and Joel Selwood, they tried hard and got good contributions from some senior men, but the bottom line is they were hammered by last year's 17th-placed team. They competed hard and matched the Suns in most statistical categories but lacked class and look like needing their midfield aces to compete.
NEW FACES
Gold Coast: Perhaps the most low-key recruit had the biggest impact first-up. Former Blue Nick Holman, who spent the past two years in the SANFL, made the most of his chance. He finished with 15 touches, kicked a goal and gave off another to Sean Lemmens, but most impressively Holman had nine tackles that characterised his team's showing. Prized recruit Lachie Weller was steady if not spectacular, while Aaron Young kicked a nice set shot early in the first quarter and looked a perfect complement for Tom Lynch and Sam Day in the forward 50.
Geelong: The Cats' draftees were impressive. With 13 disposals, Tim Kelly firmed for a debut in round one. The West Australian's lightning speed was a weapon among congestion, as was his poise in tricky conditions. Teenage midfielders Lachie Fogarty and Charlie Constable could also hold their heads high. Fogarty showed composure with his 14 touches, while Constable did some nice things in tight – and in the air – putting his strong body to good use and finishing with 22 disposals. Nimble forward Gryan Miers, taken at pick 57 in last year's draft, was busy early, kicking Geelong's first goal.
WATCH: Big Cat Esava Ratugolea unloads a monster goal
NEXT UP
The Suns stay in Queensland next week and play their only game on the Gold Coast until June when they host Brisbane at Southport on Sunday. Geelong heads back to Victoria for its final pre-season tune-up, playing Essendon at Colac's Central Reserve on Sunday.
GOLD COAST 4.4 5.7 11.9 12.13 (85)
GEELONG 1.1 2.3 2.9 3.11 (29)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Sexton 2, Fiorini 2, Lemmens 2, Hall 2, Day, Young, Lynch, Holman
Geelong: Miers, Menzel, Ratugolea
BEST
Gold Coast: Sexton, Lyons, Holman, Lemmens, MacPherson, Fiorini
Geelong: Tuohy, C.Guthrie, Menegola, Kelly, Gregson, Constable
INJURIES
Gold Coast: Lemmens (hamstring)
Geelong: Kelly (leg)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Hay, O'Gorman, Meredith, Whetton
Official crowd: 3206 at Riverway Stadium (Townsville)
