Anthony Miles thinks Gold Coast's opening round performance would've turned heads, but that it will mean nothing if they fade against Fremantle this Sunday.
The Suns won three of four quarters against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium but lost 85-84 as midfielder David Swallow and forward Ben Ainsworth were both hobbled by knee injuries.
Former Richmond regular Miles, squeezed out of their best side in the last two seasons, relished his AFL second-coming with 24 disposals, nine contested possessions, five inside 50s, four clearances and a goal.
He also played the role of body guard in an otherwise young Suns midfield, walking off at full-time with his head bandaged and face bruised.
"It felt good to be back. We may've shocked a few people but we expected to go there and win and unfortunately we fell short," the 26-year-old said.
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"The recognition we're looking for is inside the club, but if we can change perspectives of others in the process that's fantastic."
Miles dominated at VFL level but was unable to break back into a high-flying Tigers side, leading him to look north for opportunity.
"The transition back into the AFL was made easy by playing with those guys," he said of his new life on the Gold Coast.
"To feel that you're wanted and valued by coaching staff and players is really important and fills me with a lot of confidence."
Gold Coast return home this weekend to face the Dockers, who destroyed North Melbourne by 82 points to make a statement of their own.
"We to keep ourselves up and it's a long year, that's the challenge and we've already spoken about it to bring that intensity again," Miles said.
"Freo had a great win but if we bring what we pride ourselves on we can test them for sure."
