After what can only be described as an old fashioned flogging at the hands of Carlton, the immediate future of the Gold Coast Suns is brighter than we think.
Taking to the field with 12 debutants, the Suns possessed enough heart to play in the AFL but lacked experience, strength, endurance, awareness and skill.
Unfortunately for the Suns, heart only wins games when the game is in the balance.
The obvious signs pointed to lack of match fitness seen through missed tackles and poor decision making, but this is not the fault of the debutants.
It was expected of the mature age recruits to guide this young team through leading by example. Winning the ball from clearances is one of the most important statistics in football nowadays because it ensures you have first possession.
On Saturday night, Daniel Harris led the way with nine clearances on his way to 30 possessions, 13 contested. Assisted by fellow mature recruit Michel Rischitelli (31 possessions, six clearances) and number one draft pick David Swallow (17 possessions, five clearances), the Suns drew level with the Blues at 39 clearances each.
With tough bodies in the clinchers, the Suns are more than capable of winning contested football against a quality midfield comprising Chris Judd, Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs. One week ago, an equally fresh Richmond midfield took on the same Carlton brigade and got hammered in the clearance count 25-49. Had they drawn North Melbourne, Brisbane or Melbourne, the Suns could have won their inaugural match.
Leigh Matthews was quick to declare the Suns will win “between zero and none” games this year. This declaration is premature and we cannot assess the Suns until at least the mid-season break. This time last year we were quick discard Richmond as a competitive team with TAB Sportsbet paying out bets for a Tigers wooden spoon in round four! The Eagles went on the take the honour.
Although a 119 point defeat is not the ideal way to start club history, the Suns will have taken valuable lessons out of the game knowing they can win the ball against a quality opposition. Turnovers cost the Suns dearly and Guy McKenna will be working very hard with his young group on disposal by foot this week. Awareness and decision making will come later in the season.
There was still a lot the Suns fans can be excited about after Saturday night. Daniel Harris has returned to the AFL hungrier and stronger than ever before. Gary Ablett (23 possessions, 14 contested) will only be getting better as he overcomes off season injury. Youngsters Zac Smith, David Swallow and Harley Bennell all impressed and most importantly, the toughness of McKenna’s playing days is visible on the field.
The Sun’s will spend a lot of time chasing the ball and the off-season tackling work was evidenced through the tackle count 58-53, Suns leading. Collingwood and Geelong have proven the importance of a high tackle count.
We cannot adjudicate a game solely on statistics and watching the game, the Suns were completely outclassed but from their clearance work and tackling pressure, McKenna is adapting his young list to play some exciting football. The Suns could reduce losing margins by playing more possession football but we can praise Bluey on his intentions to take the game on as if he were still out there.
The Suns will win games this year.
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