Miller, Suns go to ground to snap Swans stranglehold
Gold Coast have gone to ground as they attempt to improve the AFL ledger against a Sydney team buoyed by the midweek recommitment of star Chad Warner.
The Suns' best-ever season start was surprisingly halted at four by Richmond last weekend, the unfancied Tigers jumping them early and hanging on for an 11-point win.
Under Damien Hardwick, the Suns have swarmed at the feet of their tall forwards at contests and profited.
But they were second to the ball at Marvel Stadium last weekend, a huge factor in the outcome along with ill-discipline and inaccuracy.
Midfielder Touk Miller said they "told the truth" to each other early in the week and demanded better on Sunday at Carrara against a side that's dominated their head-to-head battles.
"Before the weekend we were No.1 in ground balls; it's something we pride ourselves on," Miller said.
"We weren't up to the standard in that regard.
"Hopefully, if we do get in moments like that again, rather than wait until Monday it's the first quarter we're talking about it."
The Swans, last year's beaten grand finalists, hold a 13-4 record over the Suns and have scored at least 110 points in winning their last three encounters.
They're 4-1 in their last five clashes, those wins coming by an average of 53 points.
Injury-hit and battling for form, the Swans are 2-4 and fresh off a bruising eight-point loss to Port Adelaide at home last week.
But the mood was improved on Thursday when All-Australian Warner resisted huge interest in Western Australia to sign a two-year contract extension.
"It'll be a great test with them coming off a loss as well," Miller said.
"There's a bit of pride on the line, we've had a bit of history in the past and I know it's going to be a great battle."
The Suns named an unchanged line-up, Hardwick resisting the urge to bring veteran David Swallow straight back from a knee injury.
Ben Paton and Peter Ladhams replace Sam Wicks (injured) and Joel Hamling (omitted) while Tom McCartin has again been named full back after coach Dean Cox noted the need to "settle" the versatile player.
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