There were plenty of promising signs from the SUNS in Round 1 and the SUNS Media team have broken down a couple of key takeaways from the match.
Second-year SUNS fire
A pair of Gold Coast second-year players have sent warning signs to the rest of the competition after some eye-catching performances in Round 1. Wil Powell was a standout in just his eighth AFL game and is far evolved from the skinny kid who first walked into the club as an 18-year-old. Powell has added considerable size to his frame in the off-season and forced his way into the best 22 to start the year. Powell stood up when it counted. He played on the wing and racked up a career-high 23 disposals as well as seven marks.
Similarly impressive was Charlie Ballard. The 195cm defender had 24 disposals and was prominent in the final quarter when the SUNS were throwing everything at St Kilda. Ballard has grown in confidence the more he’s played at senior level and is no longer afraid to leave his man and impact a contest. His intercept marking has improved dramatically over the off-season and like Powell, he is able to stand up in a marking contest after adding kilos to his frame.
If the pair had question marks over their place in the best 22 going into Round 1, they have well and truly put those to bed now.
Inspirational leader
He’s played his whole career as an inside midfielder, but co-captain David Swallow has proven he can still make a valuable contribution in a different role. After copping a knock to his knee in the first quarter, Swallow was visibly hampered but managed to push through and play out the rest of the game. Instead of resuming his on-ball duties, the SUNS leader was sent forward to protect his body further.
While he only managed 11 disposals, Swallow was able to add three goals to his tally, including two crucial majors in the last quarter as the SUNS took the lead. His inspirational performance to battle through pain and still give his team everything speaks volumes to his capacity as a player and more importantly as a leader. It will give senior coach Stuart Dew confidence to know one of his most important midfielders can adapt to the team’s needs when required.
Macpherson’s versatility
Thrown out of position after the unfortunate incident to Ben Ainsworth, Darcy Macpherson shone with more responsibility in Round 1. Dew deployed Macpherson in the midfield to allow the injured Ainsworth and Swallow to rotate through the forward line, and Macpherson stepped up his game with a career-high 20-disposal effort. His versatility to walk into that midfield role when the game was in the balance and still impact with his pressure as he does in the forward line is commendable.
It might give Dew more to think about for this week as he searches for players who can rotate through the midfield with Swallow in doubt to play and Ainsworth ruled out. Macpherson has proven his ball-winning attributes in the NEAFL previously but could be in line for some more midfield cameos at senior level in the future.
The SUNS play Fremantle in Round 2 at Metricon Stadium for the first home game of the year.
