Several Gold Coast SUNS, including six new recruits, had their first taste of opposition in Thursday night’s match simulation against St Kilda at People First Stadium.

Christian Petracca joined the midfield group with his ten years of elite footy experience on show, getting involved in plenty of the game’s action as one of the SUNS’ best in the first three quarters.

“We saw some good things out of Petracca tonight. He looked strong and fast and for him to get some stoppage work with Jarrod Witts and Touk Miller was pivotal for him against opposition,” Assistant Coach Shaun Grigg said.

Gold Coast’s first goal against the Saints was scored by second-year player Leo Lombard after Petracca demonstrated strength fighting through a barrage of opposition before fellow new recruit Jamarra Ugle-Hagan found the young SUN in space just in front of the goal square.

Ugle-Hagan played his first game of footy in SUNS colours and bagged a goal in the fourth quarter.

Grigg says the pre-season hit out was a good opportunity for feedback on how the new SUNS are fitting into the system.

“It was awesome for us to see Jamarra on the footy field,” Grigg said.

“We just wanted to see him out there and he played the four quarters for us, so it was invaluable time for him too.”

Draft pick number two Zeke Uwland slotted in nicely on the wing, getting up and down the ground in three quarters of action. There was plenty of promise in Uwland’s performance with stamina, clean disposals and plenty of strong contest for the ball.

SUNS fans saw glimpses of fellow draftees Koby Coulson, Avery Thomas and Dylan Patterson in the second half when they came into the midfield and defensive lines respectively. They will be looking for more minutes in next week’s AAMI Community Series match against Brisbane.

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