goldcoastfc.com.au has reviewed the week two NAB Challenge fixture against GWS and identified the following key discussion areas:

Recruits mounting their case for round one debut

Adam Saad’s case for a round one berth is gaining momentum by the week with the mature-aged rookie backing up his eye-catching opening NAB Challenge performance with an equally polished display against Greater Western Sydney. The dashing defender provided plenty of run and carry on Saturday afternoon, collecting 16 possessions at 75 per cent efficiency and putting the ball inside 50 an equal team-high five times. Fellow first-year player Touk Miller may not be generating as much hype as Saad, but the former Vic Metro and Calder Cannon’s skipper is quietly building his own case for a spot in Rodney Eade’s round one side. Miller created an array of opportunities with his defensive pressure and harassment of the opposition ball carriers. The teenager gathered 13 disposals and laid four tackles in another business like performance that could see him secure a spot as the SUNS defensive small forward.

Late fadeout not a major concern

With a six-day break between the SUNS' opening two NAB Challenge fixtures, there was a high likelihood Gold Coast were going to run out of steam late in the game. Especially given how early in the year we currently are. Ten points separated both sides at the final break before the Giants broke the game open in the last term by kicking six goals to two, with the SUNS pressure dropping off as the game wore on. One area of concern for Eade and the coaching staff on Saturday was the Giants domination of possession with the home side collecting 391 disposals to 271. With essentially a first choice midfield absent, with Gary Ablett, Jaeger O’Meara, Dion Prestia, Michael Rischitelli, Mitch Hallahan and Jarrod Harbrow all not playing, this won’t be an ongoing problem.

Dangerous Bennell building nicely ahead of the season

Harley Bennell’s quality start to the year continued on Saturday afternoon with the West Australian kicking three goals from 21 possessions in an impressive display. Across half-forward and through the middle of the ground, Bennell looked dangerous with ball in hand, bringing other players into the game with his creativity. After being one of the SUNS' best players in the opening NAB Challenge game against Geelong, Bennell appears to be humming along just nicely ahead of the home and away season. He looks to have put a calf complaint that hampered him pre-Christmas behind him and is set to provide the SUNS with a real X-factor forward of centre in 2015.

Lynch under scrutiny for head high hit on Buntine

Tom Lynch was the first test case for the Match Review Panel this season following a head high bump on Greater Western Sydney’s Matt Buntine in the third quarter. The spearhead made contact with Buntine’s head in a glancing blow that brought the game to a halt. The MRP has charged Lynch with rough conduct and he can accept a one-match sanction with an early guilty plea. Interpretations of the bump have wavered in recent seasons, but you get the feeling the MRP’s decision in this case could set the precedence for the year ahead.

Swallow at his ball winning best in Blacktown

With certain players at different stages of their rehabilitation ahead of the season, the SUNS sent an inexperienced onball brigade to Blacktown. One midfielder who shone brightly was David Swallow. Last season’s best and fairest winner did what he does best against the Giants – he won the contested ball. Swallow collected 24 disposals for the game, including a game high 15 contested touches, to go with seven clearances and five inside-50’s to be one of the SUNS' best players on the ground. After blowing out the cobwebs in Townsville last weekend, Swallow showed glimpses of his ball winning best against the Giants. A strong indication that the 22-year-old is on track with his preparation ahead of round one.