Another 100 point loss. The Gold Coast Suns are now sitting last with no wins from their first 13 games. The AFL’s new boys have dispelled any estimates that they would improve on their tally of three wins in their debut season.
Right now, it’s virtually impossible to see when their breakthrough win will come. The blame has come thick and fast for their disastrous second year.
The coach has copped criticism (but has been re-signed). Many of their young stars are suffering from second year blues and the majority of their senior players have been little more than woeful.
The two biggest problems for the Suns come from the opposite ends of the age scale, the form of their senior players and the stuttering improvement of their youngsters. Suns supporters will see little joy until these problems are fixed.
Firstly, to their senior players, who have dropped off even further from the form they showed in their debut year.
Apart from Gary Ablett who is again carrying the Suns team on his shoulders, only the injured Nathan Bock could be given a pass mark on his injury shortened year.
Michael Rischitelli who had a decent first year with the new side, has completely dropped off, collecting a total of 14 possessions in his last two games. That’s not an average of 14 possessions, that’s 14 in total. Those are ridiculously low numbers from a former best and fairest winner at Brisbane.
Compile that with very little output from Campbell Brown, more injury problems to Jarrod Harbrow and form so poor that Jarred Brennan and Josh Fraser can’t even get regular spots in the side and the Suns are being severely let down by their experienced players.
Aside from Ablett and maybe Bock, none of their senior players strike you as being supreme leaders who can lift the younger players out of the trenches. This hasn’t just been since they arrived on the Gold Coast, none of them were leaders at their former clubs.
The poor example shown to the younger players from the senior players leads nicely into the second major problem and that is the lack of progress shown from their second year players. The dreaded second year blues are a common occurrence for many young players and the syndrome has certainly spread throughout the Suns locker room.
The Suns only second year player who has shown any form of remarkable improvement has been Harley Bennell; he has taken giant strides in his second season and has gone a long way in justifying being taken number two in the draft. Throw in strong improvement from Karmichael Hunt and consistent performances Dion Prestia and David Swallow, who are now both injured, and it largely makes up the full extent of any sort of progression from the Suns younger players.
Such a small showing of improvement would be extremely frustrating to Guy McKenna and the rest of the Gold Coast coaching staff. Even more alarming is the fact that not only has the form of their many youngster stagnated, some have gone backwards.
Trent McKenzie has suffered from a lack of pre-season and hasn’t gone close to his first year showing, Zac Smith is struggling under the increased time put into him from opposition coaches, Brandon Matera has missed a large chunk of the season and there has been little improvement from guys that struggled in their first year, including Josh Toy.
It’s certainly not panic stations yet in the Sunshine State and many of these players will have long careers ahead of them, however Guy McKenna must have believed going into the season that there would be greater signs of improvement.
The overall lack of improvement could easily be attributed to the natural development most players endure throughout their careers and it certainly doesn’t help that the side features over a dozen players going through it on a weekly basis. Compare the Suns to a side like Collingwood who has the luxury of slowly easing four or five young players into their team each week and the development of their players is going to be a much slower process.
However, other factors may also be to blame, one being the roles given to the Suns younger players. Gold Coast entered the competition playing a free brand of football, the first year players looked to have been given a license to roam free and just attack the ball like they had throughout their junior footy. While the team may have suffered from blowouts, it provided excitement to not only their fans, but the players as well.
This brand of football may have helped ease the Suns players into the league; however it could also have severely hurt them in their second year. The players look to be struggling to adapt to having an increased defensive role on the ground. McKenna gave them free reign in their debut seasons, knowing a greater structure would have to be employed for his team in their second year. The sudden change could be a large reason behind their lack of growth.
Although the teams are quite different, compare the Suns to the other expansion team in west Sydney. Kevin Sheedy has clearly come to the helm of the Giants with a clear direction of developing their defensive side and has given his players clearly set objectives.
Now it’s probably fair to assume that the Giants players will suffer a similar fate in their second year, but for now it seems they will find it easier to maintain the defensive roles placed upon them in year one, while the Suns are still learning to put greater emphasis on defence.
All players, no matter what age, have to shoulder the blame for the Suns disastrous start to the season and their steady rise up the ladder will most likely take longer than many expected. While this may be frustrating for fans, it is all part of the unique challenge facing the Suns to integrate so many youngsters who are finding their feet.
Jay Himat
Roar Rookie
Imagine being 18/19 years of age and not being certain whether you'll be playing the following week. Not one player can prove their worth in a week of football. The coach should have a bit of consistency with the players (injuries aside) and give them a real chance to prove themselves. Going by Jobe Watsons first season of AFL he'd be running around the the 3rds at Werribee! Knowing your teams mates strengths and weaknesses plays a massive part in team development. So have a bit of consistency, with the players and the plans! Also, the one massive signing of Gary Ablett has taken weight of many senior players shoulder such as Brennan, Rischitelli, Brown, Krakouer and Fraser. Ahhh leave the to the bald bloke, he'll take the kicks in, assist the goals, go third man up in a ruck contest and score our goals. GIVE THE OTHERS SOME RESPONSIBILITY!!!!! Will be interesting to see GWS next year, I'm certain they'll improve.
BigAl
Guest
It would be extremely foolish to turf McKenna. I would guess that he would be a bit of a father figure to many of the GCS kids. It was pretty well understood that GCS would really struggle for a few years and it would be ridiculous and very demoralising to the team to sack him so early in the piece
GCS
Guest
Hawker - they thought Brennan, Rischitelli, Brown, Krakouer and Fraser were experienced competent players. The problem is that for guys to make the move to the Gold Coast, they want more money than they are worth, and the ones that clubs are happy to off load, you don't want anyway. Perhaps they could look at experienced guys that nominate for the rookie list. At least they will be determined to prove themselves.
hawker
Guest
they need to possibly trade away a couple of young players for some experienced competent players. The youngsters who remain will improve better in a more competitive outfit.
Toa
Guest
What fails to get a mention is their young ruckmen were taking a hammering. Whether it was Nic's or Cox's physical advantage, poise or confidence to win the hit-outs contributed to the scoreline they certainly needed to put the brakes on. From what I noticed theses young guys turned to spaghetti when there up against mature bodies, now thats not an insult rather an observation the average punter fails to pick up. If the suns ruckmen fail to win the hit-outs their midfielders are going to struggle to find any ball to the effect of yesterday game they'll be chasing bum. Fatigue only worsens when the incentive of wining the ball is confiscated by a more rehearse midfield group that repeatedly undertakes the procedure of tap, kick into the fifty & kick for goal. I can only imagine 95% of players lose interest when they constantly have to switch to a defensive mindset. The attitude becomes dour, concentration drops off, skills become uneventful when they're' forever questioning why these young players repeat the same mistakes. Solution - Patience
micka
Guest
US expansion.... Im sure we have the cash ;-)
PJ
Guest
Redb as an unfortunate resident of the Gold Coast I can promise you the lifestyle here is nothing flash - Paul Roos wouldn't want to tarnish his recorded by coaching this woeful mob. They will be lucky to get 10,000 fans at their remaining home games -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
I wonder how the Giants would go with Ablett running their show? As the author says, there seems to be much more structure in place at GWS, and arguably better talent. What seems to be lacking is the ability to see out games and a bit of organisation. A star can't do anything about the first, but Ablett could certainly 'run the show' - and he might well have better support at the Giants. I know there's no chance of it actually happening, but fun to speculate. The Suns would be an absolute rabble of course, which I don't think benefits anyone...
Brewski
Roar Rookie
It does not take a lot to turn around, had the Suns had Bok, Harbrow, Riscitelli, the difference would be immense IMO. North were flogged by 100 points a couple of weeks ago. I think Mckenna will be OK. Brown has to go though.
GCS
Guest
Redb, you can't say whether McKenna is up to it as a senior coach or not. I think only the people within the inner sanctum of the club can judge that. This is youngest list that a coach has ever had, so I think you have to give him a bit more time than 1.5 seasons.
Redb
Roar Guru
Agree Roos seems unlikely to coach again, but the dollars involved might tempt and the lifestyle would be better than Sydney.
Matt F
Roar Guru
I don't think Roos will ever coach again. he always stated that he never saw himself as a "career coach" and last year he said that he never wanted to coach again. There have always been rumours that once his kids finish high school he's going to move to the USA with his wife, who's from there.
Redb
Roar Guru
No, Malthouse has stated he would not leave Melbourne. Paul Roos might tempted though?
Matt F
Roar Guru
Malthouse won't take the Gold Coast job. They're still about 5 years away from challenging for a flag and even then, their senior players like Ablett will be past their prime or long retired ( eg Bock, Brown.) If Malthouse returns to coaching he'll want to take over a side that's a chance of winning a premiership sooner than that, and probably one in Melbourne as well. The likes of Carlton, Hawthorn, Essendon and even maybe Richmond would be the type of sides that he'd love to coach but none of those four sides, except maybe Carlton, will be changing coaches anytime soon. I also vaguely remember Malthouse coming out and saying that he'd never replace Guy Mckenna given that Mckenna was Malthouse's assistant at Collingwood.
Michael/Brisbane
Guest
Do you think Malthouse would ever take over as Suns coach? I know it is farfetched but imagine Malthouse and Sheedy in charge of the two expansion sides.
Redb
Roar Guru
McKenna is just not up to it as a senior coach. It was highly premature to re-sign until 2014 - they will have to break that contract. The pressure wave is coming for the Suns. Just pathetic on the weekend.
GCS
Guest
Fair article. They have had a hard time with injuries, but there is no real excuse for the second half against West Coast. Bit interesting to see what they do at the end of the season with free agency players. They wouldn't want to get burnt again but it would be tempting to get some experienced players in. I guess for next season they will have the number 1 or 2 draft pick and highly regarded Jaegar O'Meara will be eligible to play. Hopefully another pre-season for the young players will help them run out a whole game.
Keagan Ryan
Roar Guru
Have to give Josh Caddy a tick too, certainly shown a bit. Now they just have to hang onto him!
Cameron
Guest
Dropping their underperforming players might wake them up. Players like Rischitelli are clearly better than what they are showing. The Suns board must also be getting a little anxious about their decision to resign McKenna.