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The Gold Coast Suns’ 2015 was as shambolic a season as any team has had in recent memory. Injuries to key players, off-field discipline issues and general lack of professionalism stalled this club. Yet behind the scenes, Rodney Eade was putting the pieces in place to help the Suns start reaching their potential.
The players with issues regarding lack of professionalism – Harley Bennell and Charlie Dixon – were moved on with minimum fuss, a new leadership group was introduced, and players now have a greater onus to pull each other up when standards are not being met.
A new high-performance unit was also introduced, with all players being put on individualised programs.
As a result, the Suns have started 2016 very well. They were expected to beat Essendon and did so, even if they took the foot off the pedal in the second half (which Eade no doubt addressed during the week).
They then travelled to Perth and knocked off Freo in a seriously impressive display of both skill and maturity.
It is early days for the Suns, and their level of consistency will be challenged in their upcoming fixtures with Carlton and Brisbane – two games they will start as heavy favourites.
Being consistent in the opening fortnight has made it easier for Eade to select the best 22, which has a flow-on effect. All players know they need to perform, with essentially a fully fit list – only Mitch Hallahan, David Swallow and Jaeger O’Meara are unavailable in the next two months.
They are due to move into the Carrara Sports Precinct next door to Metricon Stadium in 2017, which is part of a $130 million facility being constructed for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. This should continue to help the club improve its professional standards, and hopefully improve their ability to attract and retain players.
Meanwhile, after a relatively positive pre-season, the Brisbane Lions already have issues, which will be compounded by a trip to Geelong this Sunday.
Dayne Beams is out injured, Tom Rockliff and Daniel Rich picked up injuries on Saturday, and Mitch Robinson hurt himself in Round 1.
They are four very important players in the middle of the ground from a hardness and experience point of view. The issue is compounded because they have so much youth and inexperience at the key position posts at both ends of the ground.
The forward line is being built around 19-year-old Josh Schache, and the backline is focussed on Harris Andrews, a 20-year-old. While they are showing some great signs early in their careers, you cannot expect consistency on a weekly basis yet.
The midfield, which is seen as having good depth, is where they should be getting consistent output. However the number of mistakes made on game day is the only consistent aspect for the Lions – there cannot be a club in the AFL that shoots themselves in the foot as consistently with skill errors.
It makes you wonder what level of attention is being placed on skills training.
Having no real dedicated elite training and administration facility (with no concrete plans for one at this stage) must also have an effect on the club and its ability to act as a top-flight football team.
By 2018 the Brisbane Lions will be the only AFL club without an elite training and administration facility, which may see them have issues with recruitment and player retention.
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