A GUY McKenna rocket to Harley Bennell had the desired result on Saturday night, with the talented Gold Coast midfielder playing his best game of the season.
Following last weekend's loss against Richmond, McKenna said he singled out Bennell in Monday's team meeting.
He accused the 2012 best and fairest runner-up of coasting and riding on the coat-tails of fellow midfielders Gary Ablett, Jaeger O'Meara and Dion Prestia.
Bennell responded against the Magpies – letting his actions do the talking.
The 20-year-old finished with 23 disposals (eight contested), six tackles, three clearances and one goal.
He still had the flair, with back-to-back one-twos with Ablett resulting in a second quarter goal to Prestia, but McKenna was most pleased with his grunt work.
"The review on Monday after the game against Richmond, he got singled out, not in a positive manner that's for sure," McKenna said.
"Last year he and Gary (Ablett) started a lot of our offensive movement by rolling up their sleeves.
"Maybe he thought 'this is not going to be my year for that and I'm just going to get on the end of that, kick goals and look really nice'.
"Tonight he rolled his sleeves up, got his hands dirty and stood his ground, won some contested footy."
McKenna conceded recent struggles with a hamstring injury had hampered Bennell, but said his work-rate was the biggest concern.
The Suns coach also praised versatile Steven May who played in defence for the first time this season.
May was forced to stand alongside Travis Cloke during the third quarter after Rory Thompson hobbled off with an ankle injury.
When Thompson returned, May was also hobbled, but battled on and was important in the face of a final quarter surge by the Magpies.
"We spoke about adversity before the game," McKenna said. "It's the first path of truth to know whether you can fight through adversity and I would say on tonight's evidence – it was one game – Steven May can fight through adversity."
Michael Whiting is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
