The Cats are set to continue their amazing dynasty, but today we move onto a club that is looking to launch theirs. Gold Coast enter their fifth season of AFL with a weight of expectation on their shoulders.
Last season
With many predicting the Suns to step up to finals contenders last season, they looked to be on track after Round 10 with some speculating they could seal a top-four spot after sitting firmly in third spot.
Roll on Round 16 and Ablett went down injured leaving the Suns without their leader and losing more than 30 quality possessions and a few goals a game. The Suns crashed to 12th but took some heart out of their improvement and ability to be competitive against the competition’s better teams.
Next season
Come the off season and Guy McKenna was on his way, with Rodney Eade re-joining the senior coaching world to take the reins.
The Suns also managed to acquire Nick Malceski, fresh from an All-Australian season, to bolster their defensive rebounding options. A full season from Ablett plus a host of youngsters with another pre-season under their belt will see the Suns once again hit the improve.
The question is how much. I’m predicting them to sneak into the finals grabbing seventh or eighth spot.
Who to look out for
Kade Kolodjashnij managed 18 games in his first season averaging 17 disposals a game switching from a tall defender to a rebounding defender.
With Malceski, Jarrod Harbrow, Trent McKenzie, and Matt Shaw all providing rebound options, expect Kade Kolodjashnij to hold down a third tall spot handing him jobs on the likes of Jack Gunston, Adam Goodes, and Jack Darling.
Tough task for a youngster but he has all the tools to take some scalps while still finding the ball himself.
Needs a big year
Daniel Gorringe came across as a number 10 draft pick and was hyped as forming a strong ruck partnership with Zac Smith. Injuries and the development of other players has restricted him to just 20 games and only three of those coming in 2014.
Tom Nicholls looked exciting before succumbing to injury last season and will appear better suited to teaming up with Zac Smith or Charlie Dixon in leading the ruck division. Gorringe tried to get back to Adelaide in the trade period but failed so this season looms large for him to either stamp himself among the Suns best 22 or increase his appeal to other clubs.
Best 22
FB: Kolodjashnij, Thompson, Harbrow
HB: Malceski, Tape, McKenzie
C: Rischitelli, Swallow, O’Meara
HF: Martin, Day, Bennell
FF: Matera, Lynch, Dixon
R: Nicholls, Prestia, Ablett
I: Shaw, Stanley, Lemmens, Hall
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An angry Horse at the SCG!
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
It’s high stakes with five teams having lost their first three games of season 2024, and in desperate need of a win.
