The Rodney Eade era has finally begun

It was the kind of performance that led some media analysts to suggest the Rodney Eade era had finally begun. Opposed to ladder leaders Fremantle, top versus bottom, the have’s versus the have not’s (in terms of injury), the Gold Coast SUNS produced their best four-quarter performance of the season. With just minutes remaining on the clock, Eade’s side remained in the contest by a kick; a fairytale was on the cards. It wasn’t to be, but you couldn’t fault the endeavour for the full 120 minutes. The gulf in class was the focus of widespread media commentary in the lead up to the game. Discussion centred around the two sides' midfields and who wasn’t there for the SUNS. Despite the abundance of talent and experience sitting in the stands, Gold Coast demonstrated how good they can be when they get an even spread of contribution from all 22 players. The last six quarters have been right out of the Eade playbook – effort trumps talent. Maybe the bye hasn’t come at a good time after all with the momentum now built?

If Saad wasn't already a genuine Rising Star contender, he must be now

Another layer was added to the Adam Saad story on Saturday afternoon with the dashing defender producing his finest performance yet at AFL level. In his first ten games, the football world has been exposed to his brilliance. He can create something out of nothing, find space in a phone box and play with a level of bravery and dare that is never usually present in someone so inexperienced. On Saturday afternoon, in conditions not suited to his run and gun style of play, Saad demonstrated his ability to grit his teeth, cop big hits, and get up for more. If he wasn’t already firming in Rising Star markets around the country, he will be after Saturday’s gutsy performance. The mature-aged rookie finished with an equal team-high 25 possessions, six rebound 50s and five tackles to be one of the SUNS' most influential players on the ground. Saad and Kade Kolodjashnij waxed all afternoon to provide plenty of drive out of the back half of the ground; their partnership appears to be blossoming by the week, looming as a salivating option for the next decade.

Matera and McKenzie the barometer

Brandon Matera and Trent McKenzie have had their intent and purpose repeatedly questioned throughout the first half of the season, with the SUNS' poor performances forcing a forensic examination of the list. The pair has had their own off-field dramas during 2015, but on Saturday afternoon they were the barometers. Effort is not something that can be accurately measured by statistics. It is usually highlighted in review meetings, with the good praised and the bad heavily scrutinised. In a surprise move, Eade sent McKenzie to champion Fremantle key forward Matthew Pavlich at the opening bounce, and he spent the entire game there. With no Steven May or Rory Thompson, McKenzie was handed the important role. Admittedly the conditions worked in his favour, but McKenzie stuck to the task all day, holding the six-time All Australian goalless and stifling his influence inside the arc. With Saad and Kolodjashnij carrying the ball out of the defensive half, McKenzie was able to simply focus on nullifying Pavlich. As for Matera, his harassment and pressure was at a level we haven’t seen all season. When he chased and tackled, the flow on effect was infectious, spreading through the team like wildfire.

Kolodjashnij steps up again

Second-year running defender Kade Kolodjashnij was the most experienced member of the back six against the Dockers with 28 games of senior football next to his name. Despite his inexperience, and the lack of senior players around him, the Tasmanian relished the added responsibility. Along with Saad, Kolodjashnij controlled the tempo of the game, making intelligent decisions under pressure, utilising his polished left foot. Given the conditions and the elite opposition, the 19-year-old’s performance reeked of class. In the absence of Nick Malceski, Kolodjashnij has assumed the important quarterback role and performed the duty with precision. He never panics with the ball, making calculated, well-thought-out choices that help setup scoring chains. He finished the afternoon with 25 disposals, seven marks, four rebound 50s and a goal to be one of the SUNS' best players.

Macleski comes on earlier than expected, shows glimpses of class

In his Friday morning pre-game press conference, Rodney Eade revealed that Nick Malceski would return to the senior team as the substitute and the preference was to inject him into the fray halfway through the third term – if injuries allowed. As soon as he said this, you almost felt that this wouldn’t occur. And it didn’t, with Danny Stanley coming from the ground halfway through the first quarter with a knee injury. His first year in Carrara hasn’t gone to plan for Malceski, with form and injury concerns marring the year to date. But being put on the ground earlier than anticipated was a blessing in disguise. Without winding back the clock to a time where he was the most potent half-back in the game, Malceski showed glimpses of his class, collecting the ball cleanly in adverse conditions before making clinical decisions. He finished the game with 14 disposals from 67 per cent game time, and provided a calming presence to an inexperienced and undermanned defensive group. Malceski’s performance won’t silence his critics yet, although it was a small step forward in putting his season back on track.

Even spread of midfield contribution keeps the Dockers A Grade brigade at bay

A grave concern heading into the game was how to stop an all-star Fremantle midfield comprising Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Michael Barlow, Lachie Neale, Stephen Hill, Michael Walters and Danyle Pearce. Big bodies, outside speed and polished ball users. The diverse engine room was going to be a difficult assignment to quell; especially given the fact the SUNS' equivalent midfield was unavailable due to injury. But a second string on ball fleet matched the Dockers for intensity and effort from the first siren until the last. It started with Andrew Boston who was everywhere in the opening term, and was driven by Andrew Raines who blanketed Neale for the majority of the contest as well as bobbing up and kicking two first-half goals to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Michael Rischitelli demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the best leaders at the club with a typical blue-collar performance that simply demanded his teammates follow his lead. Touk Miller and Mitch Hallahan were dependable as always, doing the hard stuff admirably, whilst Jarrod Harbrow provided drive through the middle of the ground. Luke Russell produced his best performance of the season, doing his work on the wings. No one dominated proceedings, instead it was an even spread of contribution that allowed a depleted outfit to battle gallantly against the ladder leaders and against one of the best midfields in the game.