Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade says he has given senior players one last chance to show their worth in Saturday’s AFL home clash with Melbourne.
The Suns mentor admitted he was ready to wield the axe in the wake of their last round 120-point loss at Geelong but opted against it after a brutally honest review on Monday.
“Some players have some credits which are decreasing but it was a collective voice at the match committee after the review that it (Melbourne clash) was an opportunity to give them a chance to redeem themselves and show what they are worth.”
In the end Eade cut just last week’s debutant Mackenzie Willis and mature-aged rookie Ryan Davis.
Trent McKenzie (ankle) is also missing.
Defender Adam Saad returns from a hip injury, forward Jarrod Garlett plays his first game of the year and Darcy Macpherson makes his AFL debut.
Eade did not believe it would be hard for his team to bounce back from last week’s horror result – their third straight loss.
“You always look for the pride in the guys and it has been there this week,” he said.
“They have taken full responsibility. They were embarrassed about it.”
The match marks defender Jarrod Harbrow’s 100th game for the Suns.
He becomes the first Sun to notch the milestone for the club after being recruited from the Western Bulldogs when the new franchise began in 2011.
“Usually when there is a milestone I have a talk to the group but he said he didn’t want any of that – he didn’t want any fanfare,” Eade said.
“He is a very humble individual.”
Gecko
Guest
After the conversation about Lyon's tenure finishes.
Don Freo
Guest
When is the conversation about Rocket's tenure going to start? This team needs Bluey back in charge.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Good decision by Rocket. Tempting as it must have been to wade in with the axe, this way the senior players can be given enough rope to hang themselves. Sounds like he's letting them have more of a say over this too, and putting responsibility on them, which in the past the Suns have probably shied away from. Interesting that Matera still can't get a game. He's probably gone next season, another flashy player with a poor work ethic. Plenty of those running around.