Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick says his midfield has to bounce back following what he described as an “absolute spanking” in that part of the ground in a 20-point loss to Melbourne on Sunday.

The Suns were smashed 39-28 in clearances and were beaten by double in centre clearances (18-9) in the tight encounter at the MCG.

Hardwick’s side also lost contested possessions, 116-138, in another poor statistic for the 3-1 team, who led by 16 in the first term before fading in the second half.

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“The middle part of the ground, we got absolutely spanked,” Hardwick said.

“Max Gawn was by far the best player on the ground.

“We have been very fortunate with Jarrod Witts, we have probably got the second best ruck in the competition and he got well and truly beaten today.

“He will bounce back, no question about that, but I thought our midfield had their colours lowered as well.

“They got to bounce back, they will bounce back.”

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The Demons won hit outs 42 to 27 as Hardwick also pointed to a lack of toughness from his side.

“I thought we got beaten in and around contest, I just thought they were harder and tougher,” the three-time premiership coach said.

“Every now and then, this game will give you a wake-up call and give you a kick right in the nuts, and today, that was it for us.

“Our midfield’s better than that, we know that, everyone knows that.”

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Meanwhile Hardwick wouldn’t “underestimate” Melbourne despite Steven King’s side going in as a big underdog after a seven-win 2025 season before the new Demons coach took charge.

“We look at narratives and all this sort of stuff and people look at the ladder last year,” he said.

“The ladder last year is worth s***, to be perfectly honest. We take them for what they are.
“They were 2-1 coming off some good wins, they’re a good side. They play an attacking brand of footy, easily identifiable.

“Trying to stop it, though, is another thing.

“They’re playing a great brand of footy, commend Melbourne on what they’ve done. Tough side to beat here.”

Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell had a quiet return game from injury with just 13 disposals and four clearances as the midfielder had his minutes managed.

“It was always going to be what it is,“ Hardwick said about his star on-baller’s performance.

“He hasn’t played footy for six, seven weeks so he is only going to get better and better.”

Hardwick said Rowell could see increased minutes next game against Sydney at Gather Round on Saturday depending on how he pulled up.

Former Demon Christian Petracca is more likely to feature in two games against Essendon than in South Australia next week.

“He is probably doubtful (for the Sydney game), he will certainly be probable for the Essendon game,” Hardwick said.