The injury calamity inside Metricon Stadium this season never quite hit crisis point, but during a lifetime in football, it’s the worst he has ever seen says Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade.
 
With captain Gary Ablett joining an embarrassment of riches back in the rehabilitation group on Monday, it is not difficult to see how arduous things have been for the southern Queensland club this season.
 
At times during this season, Eade and the match committee have had less than 24 fit players to pick from. Far from an ideal scenario for a team that aspired to taste September football for the first time this year.
 
The biggest challenge during Eade’s first year at the SUNS has not only been the sheer size of the injury list, rather it has been the wiping out of a first-choice midfield for the bulk of 2015.
 
“I don’t think anybody has, it’s been ridiculous to be honest. It’s not only the volume; it’s just the quality of players, that’s the main thing," Eade told ABC Gold Coast on Monday night.
 
“Now with [David] Swallow, Ablett, [Dion] Prestia, [Jaeger] O’Meara – your four best midfielders out for the year and various other players at various times.
 
“We’ve had nothing go right for us. It’s been a tough year that way, but I think it will make us stronger.”
 
Contrary to widespread media coverage, it hasn’t been all doom and gloom in Carrara this season. In the face of adversity, a handful of players have put their hands up to play a role in the future. Players that would not have gained the same exposure had injuries not struck with the same amount of ferocity.
 
First-year midfielder Touk Miller and young onballers Jesse Lonergan and Alex Sexton, along with inexperienced rebounding defenders Kade Kolodjashnij and Adam Saad have been the main benefactors of the injury debacle this season.
 
And whilst fast tracking the development of a generous handful of the SUNS list has been a positive, a reflective Eade knows his side must improve in a lot of areas if it is to bounce back next year.
 
“Out of the mire we’ve found some players that have grabbed their opportunities and shown a bit of mental strength and toughness which is pleasing. But there’s no doubt there’s some areas we need to improve,” Eade said.
 
“One of those is our fitness levels and resilience. I’ve got no doubt that if we get this right and players back, I’m very confident about next season.”