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In the lead up to Showdown 30, the Power were criticised for being more competitive in their clashes with cross-town rivals Adelaide than in games against the rest of the clubs in the competition.
Plays of the Week - Relive Surj's Smother
True to form, Port Adelaide lifted against the Crows, overcoming a slow start to record its first win of the season.
Gold Coast also played the its best game of its season last weekend, kicking the opening two goals of the game against Melbourne and outscoring the visitors in the third quarter.
Unfortunately for coach Guy McKenna, the Suns faded in the final term and the result was a 90-point loss.
The Power have struggled to maintain their intensity for four quarters in the opening month of the season, prompting concerns they could fall back into their inconsistent ways without the motivation of a Showdown this week.
However, Surjan denied that would be the case, saying his side was committed to being just as competitive against the Suns as it was against Adelaide.
"You don't want to be the first team [that loses] to the team that all the other clubs are playing at the moment and are beating quite convincingly," Surjan said.
"We don't want for Gold Coast to come over here and beat us. They're the new club in the competition, as we were 16 years ago and back then I'm sure Collingwood and the other teams we played first wouldn't have wanted to lose to us.
"It's a test for us this weekend. We have to be switched on mentally and physically to give our all to win."
Surjan played his first game in 10 months against the Crows after recovering from a serious knee injury.
The defender lined up in attack and was entrusted with the responsibility of shutting down Adelaide playmaker Graham Johncock.
He limited Johncock to three possessions in the first quarter and ignited the Power early in the second term, kicking their first goal of the game.
It was only Surjan's 14th goal in 101 AFL games.
"We hadn't kicked a goal to that point and we had to do something to fire up the team and the crowd. After that we kicked five or six goals and got ourselves back in the game," Surjan said.
"I've played in defence most of my career so far, but these days you have to be pretty versatile. I'll play wherever the coaches think I'm going to make the biggest contribution to the footy club."
Surjan was subbed out of the game midway through the third quarter.
The move wasn't pre-planned, but the club saw it as an opportune way to manage the 25-year-old's game time after a long injury layoff.
Surjan understood the reasoning behind the decision, but said he hoped never to act as a sub ever again.
"I'd be happy if it was a once off, so hopefully the coaches get that memo," he said.
"I watched the replay and my reaction to finding out I was being subbed off was disgusting. The runner came out and told me to put in one more big effort and I didn't know what he meant.
"Then he came back and said 'Come off''. I started running to the boundary line and then I saw Cam Hitchcock standing there and also the red bib.
"I wasn't thrilled, but it was what the team needed because Hitchy came on and had an impact."
Katrina Gill covers Port Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill
