THE DEES are set to travel north to face the Gold Coast SUNS in what will be their second meeting of the 2026 season.
Melbourne's AFL coach Steven King joined media on Wednesday to discuss the upcoming trip to People First Stadium, the review on the team's Round 20 loss, and the positive impact of star midfielder Tom Sparrow.
LOSS REFLECTIONS
“We need to show some improvement from last week,” King said.
“We started the game really well against Geelong, created a lot of opportunity and then just went away from our method.
“Our review was around execution and playing a predictable brand that we've been trying to for 20 weeks now.
“This week will be [focused on] going up to the Gold Coast, away from home, executing and bringing Demon football to life for four quarters.”
GOLD COAST CHALLENGE
“I think they've been in every game they've played for the last month, especially at home,” King said.
“Their brand is starting to click and they just haven't got results from it in a win-loss perspective, but there's certainly been patches of games where they've been really damaging.
“I know, personally, working there for a while, what types of players they have and how damaging they are and can be. There’s no complacency from our end. I feel like we've got so much to strive and play for to finish the year strongly.”
PETRACCA REUNION
"We haven't mentioned it, but I'm sure they'll be excited to see him," King said.
"Champion of our club and he's had a great year, so for us it's just another weapon on a pretty talented team that we'll have to try and contain.
"We know what he's like at his best, how damaging he is. He's one of the handful of players we'll need to try and curtail a little bit to go out there and win the four points.
"But as a footy club, we really appreciate, admire and respect what Christian's done for us as a club, but he's been a Gold Coast player now for almost a year.
"I think we'll look at it as a team and what we have to do to try get the points."
SPARROW’S FORM
“We're seeing a fantastic athlete play as a full time mid,” King said.
“I think that's obviously helped him probably showcase his talents and athleticism to the football world which I'm so glad he's done. He's showing everyone now the type of player he can be and how important he is for us.
“For any coach in the competition, you want your players to maximise their potential and weaponise what they've got in their game and I'm glad that he's been able to do that.”
