It was almost ironic that Gold Coast would be the club that would select Peter Wright. Since their start in AFL drafts in the past five years, the Gold Coast have been renowned for taking the most talented players available.
And yet as Gold Coast approach their fifth year, questions are being raised whether the right picks have built the right team to challenge for a premiership.
Because of the draft concessions that Gold Coast were afforded at their inception there was always going to come a point when the need for young talent was outweighed by the need of experience. That time has now come.
Off-field they secured that experience with a new coach in Rodney Eade. On the field this was simply emphasised with the club making minimal list changes and using just three picks, all inside the top 30.
Those three picks were all used on the best or most talented available at that point. Peter Wright was a one-time talked about top pick. That Gold Coast got him at eight is classed as a steal.
Jarrod Garlett had a similar skill set to teammate Jarrod Pickett, who was a top five pick. Touk Miller was Vic Metro captain and a classy midfielder. In Wright, Garlett and Miller the Gold Coast again picked up what is on paper the three correct picks.
They even appear the right picks considering the needs of the Suns. Ruck is still a question mark with both Tom Nicholls and Zac Smith unable to secure the number one spot. Wright is talked about as a forward ruckman, but he could become the Suns’ number one ruck before his first season ends.
Wright also gives new coach Eade options with either a versatile and youthful sole, duo or trio ruck combination. Depending on which way Eade goes, Wright, Smith and Nicholls could revolutionise the ruck position again.
As for Garlett and Miller, both add to areas of the team where they could use more depth. Garlett does have some flair as a small forward, but is probably a likely quick upgrade over Aaron Hall. Miller, meanwhile, brings obvious leadership to a team that will still need it, and has the combination of ball winning inside and pace outside to become a serviceable AFL footballer. Again both Garlett and Miller help give more depth where needed.
And yet for all of these seemingly right moves at the draft the questions will linger. This is a team that has continued to excite at times but has underwhelmed when it has mattered most. The excitement of their first game was let down by a big loss, the excitement of their second season was let down by a lengthy losing streak and the excitement of last year’s finals run was let down by a meek ending.
For all the right moves, on the field they keep on letting down.
The progression is steady, the right picks have been made. Now the right result is finals football. Anything else would be another Gold Coast letdown.
Follow Cameron on Twitter @MTC_MIKETOCAM
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