Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has described his team's inability to match Adelaide in contested possessions as a critical factor in their 48-point AFL loss to the Crows.
After earning a reputation earlier this season for being strong at the contest, the Suns were uncharacteristically second-rate in that department, particularly early as the Crows stormed 45 points clear at halftime.
"Our contested ball in the first half (was) minus 28 (63-91)," Dew lamented.
"Whether you're playing last year's grand finalist or wooden spooner, it's not going to cut it.
"When you start to lose the contest, more (players) come in to help and then they (opposition) flick it out and away they go.
"That's where it begins and ends."
Dew was buoyed by the way his charges responded to the situation after the main break.
"If we look for any positive, we asked for a response at halftime and in the third quarter and we hit back," he said.
"But really you're (still) trying to peg back that score."
Dew saved special praise for midfield linchpin David Swallow who, despite the lopsided scoreline, mounted a strong case for best-on-ground.
Finally free of the knee injuries that have plagued his AFL career, Swallow finished with three goals and 13 tackles while collecting a team-high 32 possessions.
"You've got to love the way David Swallow plays football," Dew said.
"He was carrying the whole team on his back for a bit there.
"AFL football has changed a bit in the last three years and what he has done is adjust.
"He's just got a real appetite to compete.
"When you see him running around like that, it's really impressive."
