THE Blues’ response to the Gold Coast Suns’ fast start in the first quarter was the most pleasing part of Saturday night’s 35-point win, according to forward Matthew Wright.

The Suns kicked three goals early in the first, but the 28-year-old highlighted his side’s ability to re-group and kick seven straight goals to blow the game away.

“It wasn’t the start we were after to be honest. We wanted to come out and kick some goals early and put the scoreboard pressure on early and on the other team,” Wright told Radio Sport National on Monday morning. 

“So when they kicked a few straight early we had to regroup pretty quickly. We fought back towards the end of the first quarter and went in around half-time even peg.” 

Recording their second win of the year after a number of challenging realities including a significant injury list, Wright said it was important for the group to relish the "winning feeling". 

“Because it has been a tough year, we wanted to enjoy it. We just went back to the hotel with staff and family and we all had a nice feed together and a few quiet ones and that was about it,” he said.

“As one of the older heads around the footy club now, we just wanted that winning feeling particularly for the young boys who haven’t experienced it too much this year. Now we have that from the weekend, you saw the older boys and a bit of carry on after the game because it probably meant a bit more than we thought it would to them which was really pleasing. 

“So for us, it's about creating that winning atmosphere around the Club and now we have that, we can hopefully chase that for the last four rounds.” 

After amassing 37 disposals, 11 tackles and a goal on Saturday, Wright praised the outstanding on-field contribution of bull Patrick Cripps, who is arguably the most in-form young midfielder in the competition. 

“I played with some outstanding midfielders at Adelaide (including Dangerfield, Thomson and Sloane) but it's just his (Cripps’) physique and his willingness to hunt the ball and the body and everybody can see he plays with such aggression and he hasn’t taken a backwards step all year.

“For him to get the rewards outside the footy club and the acknowledgements, it probably doesn’t mean too much to him. He’s a very focused and driven individual and he really enjoyed the win - and so he should.”

Despite a young forward line boasting the likes of Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Jack Silvagni, the Blues had a wide spread of goalkickers on Saturday, with 10 contributors including Wright as the oldest head of the line. 

“Obviously to be given a second opportunity was awesome by the footy club, and I’m enjoying the challenges of working with a young forward line,” Wright said.

“This year, I reconnected with David Teague (forwards coach) who I obviously worked with at Adelaide too, but I’m just enjoying the challenge and helping to fast-track the young boys, spreading the coaches' messages across the forward line and the like.”

Despite only recording their second victory for the season, Wright revealed the atmosphere at the Club had remained very positive, with players demanding high standards of each other. 

“To be honest, it hasn’t felt like 2-16 (win-loss record) around the footy club. We’re all pretty driven and we train hard during the week,” Wright said.

“You still have to enjoy what you’re doing. The coaches have been pretty demanding as players, and the players have been demanding on other players during the week. But we’re also still trying to have fun and work hard and train hard.”

Senior coach Brendon Bolton revealed on Saturday that the Blues had long-planned to stay up on the Gold Coast until Tuesday for extra recovery and training, with Wright joking the players were happy to replace their jackets and beanies for swimming apparel.  

“It’s not quite a mini-break. We’re doing all our reviews, and we’re actually getting an extra training session in as well. It’s about getting in the ocean, the water and the recovery for us,” Wright said. 

“Obviously you can do that down in Melbourne but it’s a bit of a different climate down there. It’s a bit nicer up here, the boys are in the budgies and not in jackets and beanies.

“But it is a good chance to recover, and set ourselves up for a solid four weeks before the end of the season. And then take some momentum into pre-season and the start of next year.”