Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick expressed his desire for umpires to intervene more promptly in contested situations during the Suns’ match against the Western Bulldogs to reduce the potential for dangerous tackles. The clash featured intense midfield battles, particularly highlighted by Tom Liberatore and Matt Rowell’s confrontations. Hardwick bemoaned his team’s midfielders receiving a lesson in contested situations from the Bulldogs, emphasizing their struggles in clearances and tackles. He suggested that umpires could have intervened earlier to prevent dangerous plays, advocating for quicker intervention to prevent potential sling tackles. Hardwick also questioned a free kick awarded against Suns veteran David Swallow, stressing the need to balance player safety with the integrity of the game. Gold Coast faces uncertainty over the availability of Bailey Humphrey and Jarrod Witts due to injuries sustained before their early-season bye, with Hardwick suggesting a potential absence of one to three weeks for both players. Reflecting on the timing of the bye following their defeat, Hardwick expressed mixed feelings, acknowledging the opportunity for recovery and training but also the desire to swiftly return to competition.
