Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has stated the Suns will likely swing the axe to manage and rest some of their troops as the Suns face a sharp five-day turnaround for their next Darwin clash against Hawthorn next Thursday night.
The Suns have made TIO Stadium a fortress in recent years, winning their last seven in a row at the venue, and continued that dominance against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night, who entered the game as a top-four team.
A back-and-forth affair, the game's margin never exceeded more than 20 points until the final quarter, where the Suns led by nearly five goals, before a charging Bulldogs side came within a kick until Ben King kicked a sealing set shot after the siren.
Hardwick said he was happy with the win after a hard-fought battle, with the result to give the Suns belief they can beat top sides. Whilst Gold Coast's Darwin games have become regular wins, the Bulldogs also entered the match with a solid record, winning seven times from their 10 appearances at the venue prior to Saturday night's match, marking the result for Gold Coast an impressive victory.
"Relieved but happy," Hardwick said on his immediate emotions post-match.
"Wwe played a really good side in the Bulldogs. I think they came in winning their last three, and look a really good side in the competition. We hung tough at the end.
"...The guys will get a great understanding of what's required to play against a top-four side, and hopefully build some confidence and belief on that as well."
Hardwick admitted that the Suns will make some changes for their five-day turnaround, albeit at the same venue.
Gold Coast take on Hawthorn in the Sir Doug Nicholls Round opener on Thursday night, with both sides playing following a Saturday match in Round 9.
"We brought up another four players, so we just started to go through that then, what that looks like," Hardwick said.
"We've got some really talented players that we can bring in and fulfil those roles for us, so we'll work our way through that.
"So there will be some change. Obviously, five days is a tough turnaround in these conditions back-to-back, so we've got to be mindful of that."
Hawthorn have already confirmed they will be without Jarman Impey for the clash as he prepares for the birth of his child, however Gold Coast will be forced to make tactical changes after no injuries occurred against the Bulldogs.
The two clubs have had one previous encounter together at TIO Stadium in 2022, where Gold Coast triumphed by 67 points, with the Suns hoping they can upset another premiership contender at their Northern Territory stronghold this season.
