Why Jimmy Bartel thinks Gold Coast is finally a ‘real’ footy club

Jimmy Bartel thinks Gold Coast has truly arrived as a force in the AFL after another impressive win.

The Suns fought hard to defeat Hawthorn by eight points in Darwin on Thursday night.

Bartel told 3AW Football post-match that Damien Hardwick’s side were finally asserting themselves as a bona fide club.

Press PLAY to hear Jimmy Bartel’s thoughts on the Suns + Matthew Richardson’s take

“They are a genuine footy club, but this (form) feels real,” he said on 3AW.

“What Damien Hardwick is trying to do is push them on (the importance of) the jumper meaning something.”

Image: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images