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What an annus horribilus 2015 was for the Gold Coast Suns. Widely touted to make the eight off the back of natural improvement and the steely glare of new coach Rodney Eade, they were crippled through injury and off-field controversy, plummeting back down the ladder.
You’d feel for their supporters, if they had any.
Their fifth year in the AFL, it was the first time they went backwards on the wins ledger, ending with four after coming off eight and ten in 2013-14. Can they bounce back to those levels at least, or even higher?
Let’s look at the side they’ll have to do it with.
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| B: | Jarrod Harbrow | Steven May | Adam Saad | |
| HB: | Nick Malceski | Rory Thompson | Kade Kolodjashnij | |
| C: | Touk Miller | Gary Ablett | Dion Prestia | |
| HF: | Jarrad Grant | Tom Lynch | Aaron Hall | |
| F: | Jack Martin | Peter Wright | Brandon Matera | |
| Foll: | Tom Nicholls | David Shallow | Jaegar O’Meara | |
| Int: | Sam Day | Michael Rischitelli | Matt Rosa | Jesse Lonergan |
| Em: | Mitch Hallahan | Trent McKenzie | Henry Schade |
The back six profiles extremely well if the key talls can stay fit, the young players can continue to improve, and the veterans can return to somewhere near their best. A collection of ifs, yes, but all can realistically happen.
Steven May is yet to play more than 19 games in a season, and Rory Thompson is coming off only 12 matches last year. Both have shown the potential to be All-Australian quality defenders, but Thompson has regressed over the last two years, while May didn’t appear to be quite as effective last season as he had been prior.
Kade Kolodjashnij and Adam Saad were two of few positives for the Suns last year, finishing second and eighth in the best and fairest respectively, both rebounding from defence with flair and poise. Kolodjashnij’s marking and Saad’s pace were a feature, and they should be damaging players for years to come.
A counter-point to those two fresh faces, Nick Malceski was plain awful as the experienced high-profile recruit. There aren’t enough negatives to describe his season, and if he doesn’t bounce back to play good football this year, he can be considered the most selfish mercenary in living memory.
Jarrod Harbow also had a year to forget, only playing 15 games and unable to provide the drive he had in previous seasons. As a senior player, more is expected, and more should be demanded.
Kolodjashnij, Saad, Malceski and Harbrow should wreak havoc on the rebound if they can all find form and gel together.
The Gold Coast midfield has glittered sporadically in the last few years, tantalising us with their gifts, but never able to put it together for any length of time as the young players mature and/or fight injury.
Gary Ablett, still the best player in the game for mine (our Roar Top 50 will be up next week, so you can see if others agree with me), will lead them. His hunger should be at an all-time high after only six games last year. Expect 30+ disposals and two goals a game minimum from the superstar.
Jaegar O’Meara is the young player that excites footy fans the most, but he continues to battle fitness issues after missing last year, and may not play in the first month of the season. David Swallow only played six games himself in 2015, and is already going to miss half of 2016.
The troubles for the Suns just won’t go away, but Jesse Lonergan looks to be taking his chance in the NAB Challenge to cement his spot in the absence of these two. His polish isn’t where it needs to be, but perhaps this can be overcome. Mitch Hallahan will also be required to help out on the inside.
Dion Prestia played eight matches last year, and the Suns will need him to return to his ball magnet ways. Touk Miller was second at Gold Coast for contested possessions and led the club in goal assists, a fine achievement in his first season despite all of the woes around him.
Veterans Michael Rischitelli and Matt Rosa each bring a dozen years of AFL experience to the table, and will become even more important the longer O’Meara and Swallow are out.
Aaron Hall went on a ball-tearing run late last year, averaging almost 30 touches a game across the last five rounds. If he can continue with that kind of form, he becomes a critical forward-half player. Jack Martin has extreme talent but appears fragile of body. He could be anything if he gets right.
The Suns will be relying on their midfielders to kick goals probably more than any other club, but they have the players capable of it. The cap on rotations this year could be a blessing for them.
The ruck area is not going to be a huge strength. Tom Nicholls may not give his mids first use all the time, but he’s an athletic and competitive beast that should be just about to hit his prime. Nicholls isn’t know for his durability, and there isn’t much in the wings.
The forward-line is where Gold Coast are going to have a few problems, with no Charlie Dixon or Harley Bennell to call upon. Between them, these two either kicked or set-up a third of the Suns goals last season.
Tom Lynch is a top 20 player in the league, and will end the year acknowledged as the best key forward in the game. Watch the Suns as often as you can to appreciate this guy.
With Dixon gone, the second tall forward position is a clear weakness in the Gold Coast line-up. Peter Wright will get his chance, but is still raw. Sam Day has proven to be a nothing player over his five years, but offers versatility as a spare tall. Can he start to impact games?
Jarrad Grant was a surprise de-listing from the Western Bulldogs at the end of last season, and should play at the Suns as a rangy half-forward. He’s no superstar, but can add value to this team. Brandon Matera has been a disappointment, as he appears to have all the tools to be one of the best small forwards in the game.
If the tall support for Tom Lynch isn’t working, Rodney Eade has had success coaching a more mobile small forward-line in the past, so he will likely have a back-up plan in that regard.
The Suns depth is OK given where they finished on the ladder last year and the loss of Dixon and Bennell. They were able to expose a lot of players to AFL level, which will hold them in good stead given the injury troubles they’re already encountering.
A 10-man leadership is a concern from the outside, coming across as a decision that says they believe they have too few leaders, not too many.
Gold Coast has a lot of run to offer, so speed and quick ball movement should be a trademark of their game this year. The Suns should get back to where they were a couple of years ago, inconsistent but capable of beating anyone on their day.
Predicted ladder spread: 11th – 15th
Predicted finish: 13th
Best and fairest: Gary Ablett
Leading goalkicker: Tom Lynch
All-Australian potential: Gary Ablett, Tom Lynch, Steven May
Rising Star candidates: Peter Wright, Callum Ah Chee