Scott on what pleased him most

We thought that the game was pretty hot early.

They didn't completely jump us, but I think they got a couple of goals ahead and looked pretty sharp. I said pre-game, I think I got a few questions, we weren't thinking about how we could exploit them, we just didn't see that many holes in the way they play.

It was more about mitigating the damage that they are capable of. So I think that is the most pleasing thing is that while some of their good players still did good things, we didn't think they all got away from us too much at one time.

Obviously that is a lot more than just the individual matchups, it is a reflection of the way that the whole team played.

While to our eye they still looked dangerous at times, it didn't look like the Opening Round where they just found ways to score that surprised us. 

Scott on the midfield battle

Again, when you think about their team, it is not hard to have a high level of respect for the talent that they have in there.

Obviously the challenge is to think about how reactive you should be to them, at the risk of taking away your own proactivity.

That is one of the reasons we are so positive about Oisin Mullin in particular and his evolution as a player. He has stopped being a completely negative player, if he ever was, he has got some threats the other way with his offensive ability.

Even the stoppages, we thought our two young ruckmen were super tonight. Mitch Edwards coming back in was really solid and De Koning built on his really strong performance from last week as well.

When you have that kind of performance from your big guys, it certainly helps the guys at ground level be a little bit more proactive. 

Scott on combating the Suns' defence

I coached the Victorian team in February, and the Gold Coast midfield was the Victoria midfield, the full back was Gold Coast and the full forward was a Gold Coast player as well.

Structurally they are very sound, but he [Sam Collins] has become more important to them over time.

It was a little bit at times tonight because Mac Andrew went forward in the last quarter, but still they are a good combination those guys in the air.

If they intercept everything, you are going to be in trouble because they can bounce the ball out of there pretty quickly. So we wanted to at least make sure that the ball was coming to ground. 

Scott on Shannon Neale's Role

Neale was important tonight.

At the same time, I don't think I am overconfident or too bullish about what Shannon can become. I think that when he is playing at his best, he can be a handful for the very best defender in the comp.

Again, it is sort of that balance between making sure that we respect their defence and don't let him [Collins] intercept too much, but you have to be proactive and try to draw the ball yourself.

I thought that bit was the most pleasing, he really got at the ball and showed his athleticism.