‘Plenty of Adele’ however Suns will maintain pushing boundaries | USAEMALL.com

Damien Hardwick joked there might be a new pre-game playlist in Gold Coast’s changeroom but admits they will continue to “push the boundaries” to become a great team.

The Suns’ record winning start to the AFL season was halted at four on the weekend in a shock loss to Richmond that was punctuated by the off-the-ball antics of Mac Andrew.

The emerging star gave away a free kick and an extra goal early in the first quarter that set the tone and eventually proved costly in an 11-point loss.

Andrew has enjoyed running battles with key forwards this year, raising eyebrows for his post-game duel with five-goal star Riley Thilthorpe after the Suns’ narrow win against Adelaide earlier this season.

The players – hunting the club’s maiden finals appearance – have this season channelled Detroit’s ‘Bad Boys’, who embraced their roles as NBA villains in the 1980s.

Quizzed on Wednesday, Hardwick said he had spoken to Andrew this week but indicated the mentality wouldn’t change.

“Did he go too far? Yeah he knows that, understands that, it cost us a goal,” the coach said ahead of Sunday’s clash with Sydney on the Gold Coast.

“I want him to stand up for (teammate) Daniel (Rioli) but I don’t want him to throw that guy five metres sideways.

“I love the abrasive nature of our team and every now and then we are going to overstep the mark.

“The very best sides, they push the boundaries.”

“Geelong have got a great guy by the name of Bailey Smith and he’s pushing the boundaries at the moment but he’s a wonderful, wonderful player.

“You’ve got to be mindful that greatness takes that direction (because) you can be (too) careful and sanitise those individuals.”

The coach said he’d much prefer “bringing players back, than winding them up” and laughed when asked how that was done.

“A lot of Adele before the game,” he joked of their music choices.

“We take it down a notch. No more heavy metal, no more rap music.”

Foundation player David Swallow is available for the first time this season after recovering from a knee injury but Hardwick said it was likely he’ll return in the VFL.