Tonight three clubs with big ambitions step out in the second weekend of the NAB Cup when Gold Coast Suns, Hawthorn and Brisbane Lions clash at Metricon Stadium. We’ll have live scores and a blog from 7.40pm AEDT.
Gold Coast have won six AFL games in their history (three in 2011 and three in 2012), but chairman John Witheriff expects to win a flag by the end of 2015.
In that case 2013 is an extra-big year for the Suns. If they are going reach the summit in the next three seasons they need to start winning and to do that they’re going to need to improve a hell of a lot on what we’ve seen so far in their short history.
The NAB Cup is a fantastic opportunity to assess whether a team has made any gains over the off season, so there will be plenty of interest in the Suns’ performance tonight.
Naturally there will be plenty of pressure on Gary Ablett, but if Gold Coast is going to climb the ladder this season they will need some of their high draft picks to deliver.
Harley Bennell had a breakout 2012 and plenty of his teammates must follow suit if the Suns are to prove that you can draft your way to ultimate success.
Hawthorn enters 2013 off another heart-breaking finals campaign. Last year’s grand finalists are in the peak period of a premiership window, so we’re not going to learn a lot about their credentials in February.
But if we took anything from last week it was that the NAB Cup provides a fantastic chance for recruits to showcase their craft at their new home.
Collingwood’s Quentin Lynch and Jordan Russell took the opportunity with both hands and the Hawthorn’s Brian Lake will be hoping for a similar debut tonight.
Lake’s time at Hawthorn began on shaky ground after a drunken night out early in the off-season but the ex-Bulldog, a one-time elite player of the AFL, arrives at Waverley with the brief of filling the missing link in Hawthorn’s premiership puzzle.
If Lake can reclaim his best form, Hawthorn will be mighty hard to beat in any game they play this year.
For Brisbane, this season is about making the leap. Under Michael Voss, the Lions were steady improvers in 2012. Brisbane was particularly good at home, winning six matches at the Gabba, on the way to a 13th-place finish with a 10-12 record.
Lions members will expect a positive win-loss ledger 2013 and a finals finish is attainable for this former powerhouse.
Brisbane will be keen to get off a good start to the year, and after starting pre-season earlier than the teams that played in September, they should be ripe for a forward showing in the NAB Cup.
I think they can win both matches this evening and shape as one of the key contenders for the pre-season trophy.
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
"Gold Coast 30 – Hawthorn 29 Brisbane 32 – Hawthorn 11" *eyebrow waggle*
Phelpsy
Guest
Any crowd numbers ?
khall
Guest
That second game effort from the Suns was pretty disappointing.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Thanks for your company tonight. Join us again on The Roar.
Justin Cinque
Expert
FINAL SCORES Gold Coast 30 - Hawthorn 29 Brisbane 32 - Hawthorn 11 Brisbane 57 - Gold Coast 24
Justin Cinque
Expert
So Brisbane win both their games and do so quite easily. Gold Coast take one win home - against the Hawks. Their young bodies, so early in the season, may've had enough in the hot conditions by the time their game against Lions got serious in the first half. They didn't offer a lot in that second match. The Hawks weren't anywhere near their best but the debut of Simpkin was impressive and he is pushing for a round-one start in the midfield after moving from Geelong at the end of last season. The Lions were the best of the three teams tonight. Their new recruits Martin and Maloney had an impact and their midfield was impressive. Rich was in good nick and Zorko (for his goalkicking) and Cornelius (spectacular marking) had plenty of highlights. Brisbane appear to be a NAB Cup trophy player.
Justin Cinque
Expert
FULL TIME Gold Coast 0.3.6.24 Brisbane 2.6.3.57 Brisbane by 33 in a dominant display.
Justin Cinque
Expert
1 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.3.6.24 Brisbane 2.6.3.57 Long footy is touched for a point for the Suns.
Justin Cinque
Expert
1 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.3.5.23 Brisbane 2.6.3.57 Both teams looking for the siren.
Justin Cinque
Expert
1 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.3.5.23 Brisbane 2.6.3.57 Suns effort has lifted. It needed to. Tired bodies everywhere. Throw-in on the wing.
Justin Cinque
Expert
3 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.3.5.23 Brisbane 2.6.3.57 A bit of respectability in this scoreline. The Suns go coast-to-coast themselves. Brennan the goal-scorer and something for the fans to cheer. Better!
Justin Cinque
Expert
3 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.2.5.17 Brisbane 2.6.3.57 Weedon's shot misses for the Lions. Margin in a 40-min game is now 40 points.
Justin Cinque
Expert
The effort of the Suns is poor. Feb 23 and the hidings have begun in season 2013.
Justin Cinque
Expert
3 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.2.5.17 Brisbane 2.6.2.56 There's a free to Beams and a report against the Suns' rookie listed Andrew Boston for high contact. Long ball to FF and McGrath goals. Suns have given up. And now it looks ugly.
Justin Cinque
Expert
6 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.2.5.17 Brisbane 2.5.2.50 And that Brown miss looks worse now. The Lions go coast-to-coast. Cornelius marks big at HB and then they break hard. Banfield goals on his own at FF. Too easy for mine.
Justin Cinque
Expert
6 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.2.5.17 Brisbane 2.4.2.44 Now there's a chance for a consolation goal. Brown has it at 20 yards. He should goal. He misses badly.
Justin Cinque
Expert
The Lions midfield looks alright. Nice kids with the experience of Black and Maloney.
Justin Cinque
Expert
9 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.2.4.16 Brisbane 2.4.2.44 And Yeo puts another on! He put in a big effort to win his own ball, ran on and snapped the goal. Lions have been very good tonight. If you're a member, you'll be pleased. They've shown plenty. The highlight? - the brilliant form of Daniel Rich
Justin Cinque
Expert
9 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.2.4.16 Brisbane 2.3.2.38 Maguire at HB. Cornelius flies! Big mark at HF!! Goes to the pocket. Throw-in.
Justin Cinque
Expert
10 to go SECOND HALF Gold Coast 0.2.4.16 Brisbane 2.3.2.38 Dixon goes to Bennell. He has two to beat. Throw-in. Gold Coast's kids still like they've got a lot of ground to make if you ask me. They still look a long way off the pace.