As preparations for the upcoming season are finalised in the lead up to JLT 2, Stuart Dew has flirted with the idea of playing three
With Tom Lynch and Sam Day working in tandem for the SUNS’ JLT 1 win over Geelong, Dew has to make a decision on whether there is room for big man Peter Wright alongside them.
“We haven’t said yes or no so we’ll play around with it no doubt,” Dew said on the prospect of the trio all playing forward.
“Tom can play a little bit further up the ground, as can Peter because he’s got that flexibility and Sam can go in the ruck as well so it’s going to be tough throwing those magnets around.”
As reported by goldcoastfc.com.au in this week’s injury report, Wright is still recovering from a minor calf strain but is expected to be fit for the season opener against North Melbourne in Cairns.
“We haven’t pushed him just yet, we’ve held it back a little bit given it’s pre-season,” Dew said.
“Had it been in-season we would have shuffled him through a little bit more so we’ll give him another week then we’ll ramp him up and see where he sits.”
“Previous to that (injury) he’d done everything, so on his
Meanwhile, Day has thrived in the forward line, gaining more time on
“We were going to give it a bit of a go with Pete and Sam and Tom up front so it gave us that flexibility,” Dew said.
“In terms of minutes, he (Day) probably played 15 minutes more which is only minor but I think every game he plays he’s certainly going to get confidence.”
Despite the SUNS’ enjoying a relatively injury-free pre-season, a hamstring injury to pressure forward Sean Lemmens in the final quarter of JLT 1 has Dew reshuffling the names on the whiteboard for Sunday’s match against Brisbane at Southport.
READ: SUNS name extended squad for JLT2
“Just when you think you’re going ok, there’s a couple (of injuries) bob up but as that happens a couple come back in,” Dew said.
“Dave (Swallow) obviously missed last week and Steven (May) will come back in as well so there’s always a couple in and a couple out.
“We’ve still got some hard calls to make this week and the week after so it’s a good problem to have.”
