Gold Coast Suns co-captain Touk Miller has hailed the transformative impact of new coach Damien Hardwick and the significant changes he has brought to the club both on and off the field.
Speaking on Gold Coast's 92.5 Triple M Gold's Flan, Ali & Spida, Miller reflected on the Suns' promising start to the season and their aspirations for a breakthrough finals appearance.
"I think the biggest, the one that stands out the most, is the system that we play and I think the ability to adhere to the system and bring that week to week, it's something that we're still learning," Miller said.
"We're still educating ourselves on how to best implement it and execute our roles, but I think that's been a big change from an on-field perspective."
Under Hardwick's leadership, the Suns have surged into the AFL top eight, replacing reigning premiers Collingwood after a thrilling 11-point victory over Essendon.
This win, their seventh of the season, keeps their unbeaten home-ground run going in 2024 and showcases a resilience rarely seen in the club's 14-year history.
Miller, who starred with 28 disposals, sealed the victory with a crucial goal in the final minutes, albeit after a controversial 50-metre penalty.
Off the field, Hardwick's influence has been equally profound.
"Off field I feel like Dimma's has been huge in how he's brought the whole entire club together," Miller noted.
"He has a little bit of a different style to in the past and I feel like he's done a great job of bringing everyone together and getting on board what we're trying to achieve."
Looking ahead, Miller is optimistic about the Suns' prospects, particularly as they prepare for their upcoming clash with St Kilda.
"We've set ourselves up well. Obviously, we want to win tomorrow, that's our number one focus and lead us into the bye in a really good position going for the last 10 games of the season," he said.
"I'm really excited... I feel like we've never been in this type of position where we're really going for the end of the season with finals on the cards and I think it starts with this weekend and putting ourselves in the best position."
The Suns' unbeaten run at home this season has been a cornerstone of their success, with five wins at Carrara and two in Darwin.
However, Hardwick and the team are keen to extend this form to away games, and a susceptible Saints outfit in 2024 presents a real opportunity to do so at Marvel Stadium.
"The challenge is set. We're very good at home and we've got a great understanding of how to play here, but we need to start leaving our mark on the away games," Hardwick said post-match after Sunday's win.
As the Suns enter the back half of the season in form, there is a clear focus on securing a finals berth. With their blend of experienced leaders like Miller and emerging talents such as Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson, the Suns are well-positioned to make history.
"Bring on the last 10 games and us chasing it!", Miller said, encapsulating the collective sentiment.
