Team: Gold Coast Suns
Coach: Guy McKenna
Ground: Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara (25,000)
Season 2010: (VFL) 10th (P-18 W-5 D-1 L-12 22pts 82.59%)
Squad: Gary Ablett, Nathan Ablett, Harley Bennell, Nathan Bock, Jared Brennan, Campbell Brown, Josh Caddy, Michael Coad, Sam Day, Joseph Daye, Charlie Dixon, Piers Flanagan, Josh Fraser, Jacob Gilbee, Daniel Gorringe, Jarrod Harbrow, Daniel Harris, Tom hickey, Taylor Hine, Karmichael Hunt, Jack Hutchins, Sam Iles, Hayden Jolly, Alex Keath, Nathan Krakouer, Rex Liddy, Marc Lock, Tom Lynch, Brandon Matera, Steven May, Trent McKenzie, Lewis Moss, Tom Nicholls, Liam Patrick, Dion Prestia, Michael Rischitelli, Luke Russell, Matt Shaw, Zac Smith, Jack Stanlake, Danny Stanley, David Swallow, Seb Tape, Jermey Taylor, Rory Thompson, Josh Toy, Maverick Weller, Joel Wilkinson
Season preview: For the first time in 14 years the AFL has a new club. The inclusion of Gold Coast, the first new team since Port Adelaide has sent a great feeling of anticipation across the country.
The Suns have a talented young list with a group of accomplished players to help lead the kids through the 2011 AFL season. With superstar, Gary Ablett and high-profile rugby league convert, Karmichael Hunt on the field there is a lot of fascination about how the team will fare this year.
The Suns have the youngest playing list in the league and will eventually grow into a powerful playing unit. However this will take time and it is hard to see them winning more than six games this year.
Former West Coast champion and inaugural Suns coach, Guy McKenna has had a good apprenticeship, going from West Coast coaching staff to WAFL club Claremont then spending four seasons assisting Mick Malthouse at Collingwood.
In 2009 his Gold Coast TAC Cup side made the finals while last year the Suns finished 10th in the VFL. The good news for McKenna is that he has plenty of time, and plenty of talent and young guys like Josh Toy and Marc Lock will only improve on the skills they showcased during the NAB cup.
The Suns were impressive in the pre-season competition, notching wins against GWS and Sydney then progressing to the second round where they were downed by a full-strength West Coast. The Suns lost by 37 points but were far from disgraced considering senior players Gary Ablett, Nathan Bock, Jared Brennan, Campbell Brown, Josh Fraser and Daniel Harris were all missing.
Gold Coast youngsters Seb Tape, Dion Prestia and Brandon Matera made an impression while Hayden Jolly and Trent McKenzie also look to be handy players.
The Suns may surprise a few teams this year but will be lacking seasoned players all over the paddock. There is no doubt that in a few more years they’ll be a real chance of making the top eight but it’s hard to see that happening this year.
Main man: Gary Ablett. 2009 Brownlow medal winner, four-time All-Australian, we could go on… but he’s arguably the best player in the competition. Made a massive decision to leave the Geelong Football Club and sign a five-year deal with the Suns. Ablett is an incredibly smart footballer. His precision, work-rate and leadership will be invaluable for his new teammates at the Suns. Has been appointed the Suns inaugural skipper.
X-Factor: Although the Suns have an exciting young list with players that show a lot of promise like Harley Bennell and David Swallow, the X-factor in 2011 will be the versatile Jared Brennan. The former Lion is a running utility who averaged almost 20 disposals and six marks last year. Brennan has shown moments of brilliance on the footy field and will want to a step up his game this year to produce more of the silky stuff we know he is capable of showing.
2011 Predicted finish: 15th
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