May return provides guidance and not just structure
The return of Steven May last weekend not only provided stability down back from a structural perspective, it also returned a general to a young, inexperienced back six that has struggled for direction in the last few weeks. Henry Schade was asked to perform duties above his pay grade, tasks not unusually handed to players with such little experience. After emerging as one of the premier key defenders in the game last year, May begun 2015 quietly - below the lofty standards he set last year. But in Tasmania last weekend, May kept triple premiership Hawk Jarryd Roughead to 0.1. With Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett sitting inside 50 this weekend, May's presence is vital. He kept Franklin quiet for much of the last time they met, but given the absence of class in the midfield the ball will be coming in quick and fast and on repeat. So it will be another tough night at the office for May. But, thankfully he is available.
Rocket finally pulls the trigger on prized draftee
Rodney Eade and the coaching staff inside Carrara have taken a slow and steady approach with their prized draftee Peter Wright. After being taken with pick No. 8 in last year’s national draft, the prodigiously talented key forward has been given time to develop at his own pace in the reserves. An untimely knee injury curtailed his maiden pre-season and ensured he didn’t feature in any of the NAB Challenge fixtures. But after playing two practice matches in the NEAFL and seven home and away games, the highly sought-after spearhead is ready for a run at the elite level. Despite his draft ranking and obvious talent, expectations must be realistic. Wright won’t come in and dominate, no players of his stature ever do. Given he was the second key position player taken after St Kilda’s Patrick McCartin, it only makes sense to compare the pair. The Saints No. 1 draft pick played in round three and four, averaging seven disposals, three marks and no goals. He has spent the last month in the VFL, booting just three goals and they all came in the one game. The lesson is, Wright won’t set the world on fire from day one. He is here for the long-term. But look forward to seeing glimpses of the future.
Gulf in class and experience set to be a problem in the middle once again
It has been the case for the majority of the season, and it will be the case once again on Saturday night. With so much quality still missing for the SUNS, the gulf in class and experience between the Gold Coast and Sydney midfield divisions is sizeable. The Swans onball brigade boast a handful of the best midfielders in the game, with Dan Hannebery and Luke Parker in vote accumulating form, and Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack still as dependable and destructive as ever. Both Hannebery and Parker have drawn a tag at different times throughout the last month, but with such an even spread of contribution it’s extremely difficult to extinguish a midfield of this class. Mitch Hallahan has constructed a strong last three weeks and will be required to do much of the heavy lifting on Saturday night. And if the SUNS are going to put up a fight in the middle of the ground Michael Rischitelli will have to be near his best.
Miller and Saad still providing beacons of hope
Touk Miller and Adam Saad continue to be beacons of light in an otherwise dark season at Metricon Stadium. Despite their lack of experience and rawness, the pair has become important elements of Rodney Eade’s evolving red and gold tapestry. Miller has played every game in 2015 – one of only three players to do so – whilst Saad has played all but one game. Against Hawthorn last weekend, the pair were once again two of the more prolific players with Saad collecting 19 possessions and Miller 18 touches. Individual accolades are never a focus, but the pair are both building strong cases for the Rising Star award. Their chances growing by the week on the back of consistent, dependable performances. Another nine bounces against the Hawks extended Saad’s lead across the competition, taking his average to a staggering 4.7 bounces per game. His dare and dash has stung the football landscape this season, and left them wanting more.
Nicholls running away with No. 1 mantle
At the beginning of the season, nothing was decisive in terms of who the number one ruckman at the Gold Coast SUNS was. Injury had ravaged this department in recent years and not allowed Tom Nicholls an uninterrupted run at it. Zac Smith had also suffered a series of serious long-term injuries but he had been on the park a lot more than Nicholls. In the last six weeks, Nicholls has raced past Smith to take control. Whilst he doesn’t have a mortgage on the position yet, the man with the deft right trigger hand has put his best foot forward. The SUNS ruckman will face rugby union convert, Mike Pyke, the man who is playing his 100th game on Saturday night, in what looms as another intriguing battle for Nicholls. He has been faced with a series of tough assignments since returning in round four and he has quickly emerged as one of the best young ruckmen in the game. From a numbers perspective, Pyke is rated in the top bracket of ruckmen in the competition with an average of 34.9 hitouts (4th in league) and a hitout win percentage of 46.0% (6th in league). Nicholls should stretch him around the ground with his defensive pressure acts the cornerstone of his game.
Another week of headlines, but another chance at redemption
The Gold Coast SUNS have drawn headlines and dominated bulletins again this week for all the wrong reasons. There has been another dose of untimely injuries and another discipline issue that has raised question marks regarding the club’s culture. Jack Martin and Charlie Dixon were implicated in an alcohol-related incident in Tasmania, whilst Alex Sexton has been forced out of the clash with the Swans due to a hip flexor injury. The great thing about football is the opportunity the weekend presents for redemption. Regardless of what occurred in the previous game or how turbulent the week has been, a new game presents another chance.
