The senior match committee will have a lot to think about this week after NEAFL premiers Aspley just outlasted a brave Gold Coast SUNS reserves side at Graham Road on Sunday.
The SUNS trailed Aspley by 29 points at half-time, reducing the margin to just two-points at the 28-minute mark of the final term, before the Hornets secured the victory with two late goals to win 18.11 (119) to 16.9 (105).
Mature-aged rookie Josh Glenn was the main architect for the SUNS with 32 possessions, ten inside 50s, eight clearances and two goals. Whilst Luke Russell (28 disposals), former Brisbane Lion and Richmond midfielder Andrew Raines (28 disposals) and Jesse Lonergan (25 disposals) were all influential in the midfield battle.
Despite the narrow loss, NEAFL coach Josh Fraser was pleased with his team’s effort and believes a few players have put their hand up for senior selection this weekend.
“The effort was a new standard for us. We found out a bit about ourselves today and individuals certainly raised the bar and realised they were capable of more,” Fraser told goldcoastfc.com.au.
“There’s certainly a lot there for senior match committee to think about and it’s encouraging that were starting to expect more of ourselves.
“Between Josh (Glenn) and Henry Schade, I thought they were our two best.”
“But then there was a logjam of players who really improved their performance and output. Jesse Lonergan was terrific, our rucks were tireless and our defenders really held up today and Luke Russell, who missed last week, played a really good game.”
All eyes were also on key forward Charlie Dixon, who after undergoing a minor ankle surgery back in early February, has had his training and game time managed by the SUNS in order to get back into senior football.
Although being taken out of the contest at the end of the third term as part of his load management, three goals and an impressive display in the forward line should see Dixon in the senior mix in the coming weeks.
“We managed him through the game with the plan going into the match to ice him at three quarter time and we stuck to this plan,” Fraser said.
“He’d done enough, he moved well, he competed well in the air at his aggressive and competitive best. It’s a big tick for Dicko and a big step forward.”
The SUNS' gutsy performance was not helped when senior utility Danny Stanley sidelined was at quarter time after suffering a concussion.
The SUNS will look to end their winless drought when they line-up against the Sydney Swans next Saturday 25 April at Harrup Park.
ASPLEY 5.2 10.3 13.7 18.11 (119)
GC SUNS 4.0 5.4 10.7 16.9 (105)
Goals: C. Dixon 3, J. Glenn 2, P. Wright 2, L. Russell, L. Herbert, J. Leslie, J. Hall, K. Emery, H. Fraser, D. Charlesworth.
Best: J. Glenn, L. Russell C. Dixon, A. Raines, L. Herbert.
