When you are on the receiving end of ten-goal quarter onslaughts, the lessons are harsh, real and can be bitter to swallow. But despite the disappointing finish in the weekend’s loss to the Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast ruckman Tom Nicholls believes the SUNS can learn some valuable lessons out of their fadeout.
 
At the final break of the clash in Cairns, Gold Coast held a 26-point advantage. Signs of a Bulldogs revival were present throughout the third quarter, with the Victorian outfit having no trouble putting the ball inside 50, although they struggled to impact the scoreboard. This issue was a nonfactor in the final 30 minutes, with the Dogs booting 10 goals to two to storm home.
 
Echoing the sentiments of senior coach Rodney Eade, Nicholls identified fitness as a point of concern, as well as suggesting the SUNS went away from their plans when Luke Beveridge’s side came at them in the final term, failing to follow instructions when the game was on the line.
 
“As for that last quarter you can learn so much. Just in terms of obviously fitness, that was one small part of it we think,” Nicholls told reporters at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday.
 
“In terms of our game plan as well, sticking to it. I think we were put in that situation we haven’t been in it too often.
 
“I think everyone just carried that load, that responsibility and wanted to win the game off their own bat, which is honourable in theory but out there it doesn’t help your team aspect.”
 
Having previously been riddled by injuries, Nicholls is enjoying the most fruitful period of his time at the elite level. And he is prospering from the continuity and confidence in his body.
 
The 23-year-old has played the last 11 games to already exceed his previous best haul of eight appearances in 2013, as well as closing in on the 15 he had to his name prior to the start of this season.
 
“I haven’t strung this many games together in my career. Firstly it’s good and it does give you a lot of confidence,” Nicholls said.
 
“That continuity, backing up training sessions and games helps gives you that confidence in the durability in your body.”
 
Since cementing his spot as the No. 1 ruckman inside Metricon Stadium, Nicholls has built his game around applying pressure when the ball hits the ground. Whilst his premier role is to dictate play around the stoppages, he has quickly become one of the best tackling ruckmen in the competition.
 
Greater Western Sydney’s Shane Mumford leads the way for tackles with an average of 6.5 per game before he got injured, with North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein the next most prolific with 4.5. The SUNS big man is entrenched inside the upper echelon of ruckmen in this category given his average is 4.2.
 
“It is definitely my number one focus going into games. I try and build my game off it each week. It’s my key priority going into games. It will be something I continue to focus on,” Nicholls said.