Suns’ belief grows despite 10-point loss to Dogs

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Suns’ belief grows despite 10-point loss to Dogs

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has lamented being turned over in the Top End but tipped his cap to a Gold Coast side that believe in their top-four credentials after a tense 10-point triumph.

The Bulldogs found answers all night as the Suns attempted to pull away, briefly leading in the third term then mounting a rousing late charge to cut a 28-point margin to three with three minutes to play.

Damien Hardwick was proud of his team’s scrap and poise when it counted though, their 15.16 (106) to 14.12 (96) win moving Gold Coast to 6-2 and into the top four.

It was a momentum hit for the in-form Bulldogs (5-4), who had won their past three and now sit in a crowded pack just inside the top-eight.

“To take the hit, it was a pretty important game,” Beveridge said.

“In that sense, it’s frustrating. It’s one that got away, but I think we’ve been beaten by a pretty good team.”

The midfield battle was intense and evenly split, with Gold Coast’s ability to force turnovers – and the Bulldogs’ unforced errors in defence – the difference.

“We gave them over 70 points from turnovers. Some of that you can give the Suns credit for, some of it was us not being good enough with the execution of skill,” Beveridge said.

“To be 28 points down in that last quarter, under the circumstances, the conditions, didn’t think we were playing that well, just to keep grinding, give ourselves a look at it … that’s worthwhile acknowledging.

“For the footy purist it’s probably ended up being a pretty good game, but someone’s got to wear the ‘L’ unfortunately.”

Hardwick said Will Graham’s second effort to thwart another Bulldogs surge, after he had hurt his shoulder, would become a symbolic moment for a club seeking a maiden finals appearance.

“We just showed the bit of vision to the boys,” Hardwick said.

“That’s what our footy club has to be built on the back of.

“That sort of effort.”

Victory comes after a disappointing loss to defending premiers Brisbane but is the second time they’ve held on for a tight win this season, after beating Adelaide by one point in round four.

In triple-premiership coach Hardwick’s first campaign last year they fell short in at least three winnable, close games.

“The guys have done a lot of work in that space, the challenge of being in those situations and playing those moments and understanding those moments,” Hardwick said.

“Noah (Anderson) and his leaders did a wonderful job stabilising the game at the back end.”

“The guys are getting a great understanding about what’s required to play a top-four side and hopefully build some confidence and belief as well.”

That progress will be tested again on Thursday night, when they put their perfect 7-0 Darwin record on the line against the second-placed Hawthorn.

Mac Andrew was cleared of concussion after a first-half head knock.

The Bulldogs will leave the Northern Territory with some concern over Laitham Vandermeer, who was subbed out with a calf injury in the third term.

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