Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick is not panicking when it comes to Gold Coast's home loss to Fremantle on Saturday, as an opportunity to tighten their grip on the top four goes begging.
The Suns had a "tough day at the office" and never were able to click into gear fluently throughout the contest, but were able to scrap in the wet conditions to snare a third-quarter lead, and remain in the contest until the dying seconds.
Hardwick, while disappointed overall, reflected positively on the efforts by the playing group to get themselves back into the contest, and took a view on the bigger picture in the post-match press conference.
"We always give ourselves a chance. We're always in the game, aren't we?" Hardwick said.
"And we've got to remind ourselves we're 8-3. The last four weeks we've played Hawthorn Bulldogs, two really good sides that we managed to beat both, St Kilda were coming off a hiding from West Coast.
"They brought in their experienced players, dropped some younger players. So, another tough challenge away.
"Today was disappointing, there's no doubt about that. But as I've said, they're a really, really good side, Fremantle. They're a side that I think people probably underestimate, but I think within AFL circles we know how good they are."
Hardwick also proudly recalled the moment debutant Leo Lombard kicked his first goal in AFL football, with the ecstatic teenager's goal celebration a heartwarming moment during the match.
"It was a good goal from stoppage, Witts got the ball to him. It's a great story for a footy club and for our Academy piece. Without the Academy piece, he is playing rugby," Hardwick said.
Come for the first goal, stay for the adorable celebrations ๐ฅน
Leo Lombard with his first goal in the AFL!#AFLSunsFreo pic.twitter.com/9OolsuxvM4
— AFL (@AFL) May 31, 2025
"It was hard not to (smile after his goal), wasn't it? I think he made sure he high-fived everyone, including half the crowd.
"But that's what footy is about. It's special. A player's first goal, been dying to represent this club since the day he pulled on the jumper as a six or seven-year-old. So it's pretty cool moment."
The Suns' next challenge is Geelong at Kardinia Park in what will be a noteworthy test of the premiership credibility before they head into their mid-season bye.
