Gold Coast backline coach Josh Drummond has lauded the Suns as the best defensive group in the league and highlighted key improvements which have driven a strong month.
Form, injury and experimentation limited continuity among the backline group in the early part of the season which contributed to the Suns' form fluctuation, with the Suns having gone in with a much more settled line-up since Round 8.
“Early in the year we were playing in a manner offensively and defensively that was high-risk, high-reward: if it didn't come off, we would be exposed," Drummond told Zero Hanger.
After conceding an average of 108 points between Round 4 and 7, Gold Coast has averaged 65 points against in the last three games. That statistic is admittedly helped by two of the games taking place in Darwin where opposition teams have traditionally struggled against the Suns, but there is still a clear correlation between stability and better defensive discipline.
"It's just finding balance in the game. We're an aggressive, attacking, offensive side. Against the good teams we have fallen short in the early part of this year, you can't just go a million miles an hour every time because they're too well set defensively so for us it's finding that balance and knowing how the opposition is set and play from there and same defensively."
"We found some things structurally that was leaving us unstable which leaves your defenders in a pickle. A combination of a few parts of our game and executing and understanding our roles has helped us tighten the ship and helped us get the game looking a bit more like a Suns game consistently."
Wil Powell and Mac Andrew returning from the midfield and ruck respectively to the backline have been two key moves which has helped yield positive results.
Powell played as a defensive facilitator in the midfield, with his role enabling the likes of Christian Petracca and Noah Anderson to thrive, and he has similarly been an important player since returning to the backline, with his willingness to hold defensively allowing Dan Rioli and John Noble to surge the ball forward.
Rioli and Noble are both into their second years at the Suns, settling well into the system which has allowed their offensive form to spike this year.
The pair are close mates off the field and have waxed well, helping the Suns establish themselves as one of the best metres gained sides in the competition and giving Gold Coast territory.
“Once we got our game up and going post the Hawthorn game, (Rioli and Noble) really led the way," Drummond said.
"Their offensive run and drive is a crucial part to the way we play.
"They're different players. Dan might not have the height and numbers Nobes does week in week out but his run and drive is really eye-catching and damaging and Nobes has been so consistent in his want to get the ball and set up our offence, he's been a driver for us offensively.
"He's been our most consistent piece because of his desire to get the ball and he's calm and composed with his decision making.
"Dan has levels to go to. We're starting to see that, a couple of little things in his game he's gotten to work on which adds to the value he brings to the team.
"It's not just offence, he's got great speed, he's a great reader of the play so he can be a great defensive weapon for us and attack off the back of really good defence."
Oscar Adams' emergence as a reliable, rather than depth option has been another factor behind the turnaround, with the 22-year-old playing the last five games.
Highlighting the trust coach Damien Hardwick in the 15-gamer selected in last year's Mid-Season Draft, Adams is currently keeping Charlie Ballard out of the side who was a key cog before last year's ACL injury.
Adams played the first two games of the season, before making way for Ballard, but the experienced 26-year-old returned to the VFL following Round 6 to accommodate Adams' return.
Addressing media on Tuesday, Powell dubbed Adams the best “come forward” defender in the team, lauding his confidence to impact the contest, with Drummond offering an insight into why he has been preferred.
“Initially, we loved his competitiveness, the way he fights and scraps and refuses to be beaten which is a great trait for any key defender," Drummond said.
"This year with the work he's put into his craft, he's evolved his game and he's intercepting more, getting his hands on the ball more, he's much more confident with ball in hand.
"He's really grown his game from where he was last year and even earlier this year so it's great to see a kid with great attributes, desire and hunger be able to add nuance to his game and we expect him to go from strength to strength."
Powell highlighted Bodhi Uwland's contribution to offensive ball movement this season.
He has averaged 25 disposals and 14 effective kicks per game – both well clear of his previous benchmarks of 16 and eight.
“I think it's taking teams a bit by surprise. He is such an elite ball user,” Powell said.
“He is more known for his bodywork and strong aerial game but when he has the ball in his hands he's a massive threat for us and we know he can pull kicks off inside and he's probably one of our longest kicks as well, he kicks it 65 metres, (which gives us) the territory game we like to have.”
Drummond is into his eighth year at the Suns and highlighted Uwland's commitment to preparation, recovery and improvement during that period and highlighted a clear pre-season focus which has allowed him to punish teams when he creates turnover.
"He identified in the off-season that he wanted to add more offence to his game to impact in all phases and to his credit, he's statistically really improved his output offensively," Drummond said.
"His want for the ball, he's not the prettiest player but he gets the job done and his ball use is really calm and composed and he does it in a really low key type of way where there is no fuss about him."
Drummond repeatedly stressed the importance of Sam Collins, who is an anchor of the backline and sets his teammates up.
Averaging six spoils and three intercept marks per game, he is a key reason why the Suns are the best contest one-on-one teams in the league given the load he carries.
Port Adelaide spearhead Mitch Georgiades was kept to just one goal for the first time this year against Collins on Friday night, with Collins set for another enormous assignment on North Melbourne skipper Nick Larkey this weekend.
“I've never seen a player be so diligent in his craft in terms of understanding who he is playing on, their strengths, their weaknesses, getting reps in during the week to replicate what he will come up against on the weekend, visualising it. He's a key leader of our footy club," Drummond said.
Adams highlighted how Collins' tutelage has propelled his game as he looks to solidify his spot in the side after seizing his opportunity so far this year.
“He's taught me to be more composed and calmer in the contest. He's one of the best contest players aerially in the league so learning things from his game and put them into mine is pretty cool,” Adams said.
