With the AFL just days away from rolling out the red carpet for its night of nights, goldcoastfc.com.au takes a look at all the Gold Coast SUNS players chances, who can expect to poll votes and when, and predict how many votes Gary Ablett may poll.
Ablett is the hot favourite to win his second Brownlow Medal, with the seven-time All Australian capping off yet another brilliant season – claiming his fifth career Club best and fairest and the AFLPA’s MVP.
Voted AFLPA’s Best Captain and named All-Australian skipper, Geelong’s Joel Selwood hit great form after the mid-season break, and led his Premiership-proven Cats to a top four finish.
Collingwood’s dynamic duo Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan produced stellar campaigns in 2013, with Pendlebury making a well-time charge in the business end of the season to pick up the AFL Coaches’ Association player of the year award.
Swan, the 2011 Brownlow Medal winner, potentially polled in 10 matches for the year with the likelihood of five best-on-ground performances.
Sydney’s Premiership hero Dan Hannebery found great form early in the Premiership, while Kieren Jack’s consistency in the midfield will likely see the Swan’s co-captain receive great reward throughout the medal count.
Voted the Captain’s Brownlow pick at the start of the year, Trent Cotchin could poll four best on-field performances, but fellow tigers Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin delivered stand-out seasons this year and could find themselves earning the maximum three votes at various stages of the season.
Reigning Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson hit form early, but like his heavily scrutinised Bombers, fell away in the back-end of the season.
Jarrod McVeigh is a sneaky Brownlow chance, but is expected to receive plenty of tough competition from fellow teammates Hannebery and Jack.
The 2013 Brownlow Medal will be broadcast live on 7Mate and Fox Footy throughout Queensland.
Gold Coast SUNS | 2013 Brownlow Medal Predictions
Round 1 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. St. Kilda
Gary Ablett spearheaded the Gold Coast’s Premiership campaign against St. Kilda in the side’s season opener at Metricon Stadium, turning in one of his finest performances to help his team secure a thrilling 13-point win over St. Kilda. Kicking three of his four goals in the final quarter, Ablett finished with a game-high 34 disposals.
Young guns Rory Thompson, Charlie Dixon, Aaron Hall and Matt Shaw also showed their class with their polished skills.
NAB AFL Rising Star Jaeger O’Meara impressed in his AFL debut, refusing to shy away from the action as he ventured to midfield to compete amongst the congested stoppages around the ground. Experienced campaigners Tom Murphy and Greg Broughton made successful club debuts in the red and gold, while livewire Jarrod Harbrow also enjoyed a fantastic start to the season – finishing with a 24 possessions.
HOT: G. Ablett
In the mix: G. Broughton, J. Harbrow, R. Thompson
Round 2 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Sydney Swans
Swans co-captain Jarrod McVeigh was superb against the Gold Coasters when the two sides met earlier this year, picking up a solid 27 touches and four goals to inspire his team to an emphatic victory.
Ruck-forward Charlie Dixon provided a host of highlights for the 20,000 spectators in attendance at the SCG, while teenage superstar Jaeger O’Meara showcased his elite skills with a team-high 25 disposals and seven tackles to go with it.
HOT: -
In the mix: C. Dixon, J. O’Meara
Round 3 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Brisbane Lions
A five-goal haul from Brisbane Lions captain Jonathon Brown is likely to see the power forward run away the maximum three votes, with the Lions clinching on in a nail-bitter as the two QCLASH rivals locking horns at Metricon Stadium.
Talented swingman Jared Brennan starred against his old AFL club, finishing with a team-high 30 disposals and 11 clearances – coming mighty close to snaring his second Marcus Ashcroft Medal.
Gary Ablett and Harley Bennell both added 27 touches of their own, with Bennell also finishing with three goals to his name.
HOT: -
In the mix – H. Bennell, J. Brennan
Round 4 – Gold Coast SUNS vs. Port Adelaide
The Gold Coasters were off to a flying start against an in-form Port Adelaide team in Round 4, but former assistant coach Ken Hinkley and his inspired chargers came out firing after the first change – blowing the game wide open in the second quarter, kicking nine goals to the SUNS one to build an unchaseable lead.
Captain Gary Ablett finished with a game-high 35 possession, with 15 of his disposals coming in the opening term. Teenage sensation Jaeger O’Meara finished with 20 disposals and a goal, and kept Port’s skipper Travis Boak scoreless throughout the contest.
HOT: -
In the mix – G. Ablett
Round 5 Gold Coast SUNS vs. GWS Giants
Spearhead Charlie Dixon came of age against the Giants in Round 5, the big-man having a day to remember as he set a new club record for most goals in a match, finishing with a memorable six-goal bag.
Gary Ablett was his usual best for the SUNS, but despite picking up a game-high 32 touches, it’s hard to see the team’s All Australian skipper grabbing the three votes from Dixon.
Jaeger O’Meara had a game-high 11 clearances to go with his polished 25-game disposal performances, and was rewarded with the AFL NAB Rising Star nomination for Round 5.
HOT: - C. Dixon,
In the mix – G. Ablett, J. O’Meara, Z. Smith
Round 6 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Fremantle
A promising start resulted in a poor finish for the Gold Coast SUNS against Fremantle in Round 6, the home side falling to the eventual top-4 Western Australian powerhouse by 45-points on a disappointing night at Metricon Stadium.
Despite leading in all major key performance indicators including contested possessions (139-17), tackles (74-68) and disposals (349-334), the SUNS couldn’t put together the winning score as the “boa-constrictors of the AFL”, as put by McKenna, proved too strong and efficient in their attacking pressure around the contest.
David Swallow was superb across half-back, and played a pivotal shut-down role by keeping one of the competition’s most dangerous forwards in Hayden Ballantyne scoreless.
Michael Walters starred for Ross Lyon’s Dockers, picking up 17 touches and a game-high four goals.
HOT: -
In the mix – J. Harbrow
Round 7 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Melbourne
Gary Ablett’s dominant showing against Melbourne will more than likely see the club captain rewarded with the maximum three votes, after he led his charging Gold Coasters to a historic 60-point victory at the MCG, their first ever victory at the spiritual home of football.
Dion Prestia excelled in his battle against Nathan Jones, and kept the Demons star midfielder from having any real influence on the contest.
After a slow start to 2013, Zac Smith sprang into action – picking up 18 disposals, four marks and 28 hit-outs.
HOT: G. Ablett
In the mix – Z. Smith, D. Prestia, H. Bennell, M. Shaw
Round 8 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Western Bulldogs
Just days after lifting his side to their biggest winning margin in the Club’s brief history, Ablett led his side to an equally impressive victory against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium.
Ablett again starred for the home team as the champion midfielder went on to notch up 31 disposals, nine marks, five tackles and five inside-50s.
Rory Thompson continued his development as a genuine elite defender, restricting the Bulldogs no.1 forward in Liam Jones to just one major for the entire contest.
In just his eight AFL appearance Jaeger O’Meara showed experience and maturity beyond his years, finishing with 25 disposals and five marks.
HOT: - G. Ablett
In the mix – D. Prestia, J. O’Meara, R. Thompson
Round 9 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Hawthorn
The Gold Coast SUNS sent a major first-half score to the Hawthorn Camp heading into the long break, taking a solid 11-point lead over the 2012 Grand Finalists. But the interstate visitors weren’t able to withstand the onslaught of defensive pressure pied onto them by the high-flying Hawks, as Alistair Clarkson’s playing group raced away with the 26-point victory at the MCG.
Despite failing to get the chocolates, Gary Ablett was once again the stand-out performance – dominating in his stride in a display likely to see him rewarded with the maximum three votes. Hawk’s star forward Buddy Franklin booted five, while the silk “Shaun Burgoyne” was exceptional in the midfield.
HOT: - G. Ablett
In the mix – A. Hall
Round 10 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Geelong
Geelong might have captured the Premiership points with a 52-point victory at Simonds Stadium, but the final result definitely isn’t a true indication of the Gold Coast’s contested effort. With scores deadlocked at 69-points at the three quarter-time break, Guy McKenna’s travelling army were on course to achieving the impossible, coming close to becoming just the 4th AFL team to beat the Cats on their home soil.
Geelong’s Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel appears certain to take out the three votes after racking up an equal team-high 30 disposals. Ablett was magnificent in his return to his former hunting ground, picking up a game-high 34 disposals and two goals. Young gun Dion Prestia is in with a chance to pick up a vote, while Mitch Duncan and James Kelly also had solid performances.
HOT: -
In the mix – G. Ablett, D. Prestia
Round 11 Gold Coast SUNS vs. North Melbourne
In wet conditions it was a sluggish start for both sides, but there was little North Melbourne could do in the second term, as the Gold Coasters fought back a 25-point quarter-time deficit to secure their fifth win for the Premiership season.
Gary Ablett starred for the home team, collecting a game-high 33 disposals, seven clearances, six tackles and two goals to wrap up the three votes on offer. Matt Shaw was superb in the wet weather conditions, while Trent McKenzie proved to be a thorn in defence, neutralising a series of contests that would have resulted in certain goals. Harbrow was fantastic with his run and carry, displaying great agility through the centre square.
HOT: - G. Ablett
In the mix – D. Prestia, J. Harbrow, T. McKenzie, T. Lynch
Round 12 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Essendon
There was no knocking the Gold Coast’s fight and hunger to win their first match at Etihad Stadium, but in the end the high-flying Bombers proved too strong for the visitors as the home side rallied out as 43-point winners.
High-profile recruit Brendan Goddard was super for the Bombers, collecting a game-high 38 disposals for the red and black whilst reigning Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson was also instrumental.
Ablett’s 36 disposals will make it hard not to see him poll a vote.
HOT: -
In the mix – G. Ablett, J. O’Meara
Round 14 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Adelaide
The Gold Coasters jumped out of the blocks against Adelaide in their Round 14 clash at Metricon Stadium, dominating the opening term before falling away in the second-half as the Crows stormed home with the 28-point victory.
Dion Prestia topped all possession-getters, finishing with a career-high 42 disposals and two goals, continually sparking his side to a series of committed chases.
Gary Ablett spent a considerable amount of time around goals, while Jaeger O’Meara picked up 32 disposals for consecutive matches after becoming the youngest player in more than decade to collect 30 disposals.
Adelaide’s rising star nominee Brad Crouch was fantastic for the Away team, while Patrick Dangerfield was led from the front for the Crows.
HOT: D. Prestia
In the mix – G. Ablett, J. O’Meara
Round 15 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Brisbane
With only six points the different mid-way through the third quarter, the Gold Coast certainly had their chances to secure a spirited victory against their closest AFL rival.
But constant supply into the Lion’s forward-half proved costly for the Guy McKenna as the Lions kicked six of the last eight goals to run out as comfortable 33-point winners at the GABBA.
Danny Stanley was ultra-impressive in his shut-down role on Lion’s star Daniel Rich, keeping the damaging midfielder to just 13 disposals whilst picking up 20 touches of his own.
Jared Brennan starred against his former AFL club in the absence of skipper Gary Ablett, while Harley Bennell notched up a team-high 28 disposals and two goals.
HOT: -
In the mix –
Round 16 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Richmond
Looking for their third straight victory over Richmond at Cazaly’s Stadium, the Gold Coaster came out firing in the first term, but weren’t able to build on their fast start as the Tigers pounced to escape with the nine-point victory.
Tom Nicholls played arguably his best for the Club, taking it right up to giant Tiger’s Ivan Maric and Ty Vickery to finish the afternoon with a career-high 18 disposals and 25 hit-outs, and was rewarded with the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 16.
Greg Broughton was also strong, finishing with 24 disposals and a game-high nine tackles. Rory Thompson put on a monstrous first-half display, keeping Jack Reiwoldt to just six touches and zero goals before a heavy collision resulted in the giant Gold Coaster having to be stretchered from the ground.
Unfortunately it’ll be hard for the Gold Coasters to poll a vote in this match, but we’re confident Dion Prestia might just get over the line.
HOT: -
In the mix – D. Prestia
Round 17 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Collingwood
The Gold Coast landed their biggest scalp in the Club’s short history, rallying to a famous victory over Collingwood at Metricon Stadium, marking the first time the SUNS have beaten a team in the top eight.
Gary Ablett is an absolutely certainty to take the three votes on offer, picking up 49 disposals, ten clearances, six inside-50s and two goals in a memorable career night.
Young SUN Tom Nicholls turned in a masterclass performance, racking up a game-high 33 hit-outs in his dual against Ben Hudson and Jarrod Witts.
Jaeger O’Meara showed he could perform under the bright lights, finishing with 23 disposals, seven marks, four clearances and eight tackles in an all-round display.
HOT: G. Ablett
In the mix – J. O’Meara, H. Bennell, R. Thompson, T. Nicholls
Round 18 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Carlton
Carlton’s midfield dominance made it a tough afternoon in the office for Guy McKenna Gold Coast SUNS, as the Blues set up their third straight win at Metricon Stadium.
Ablett was his usual-best, but was not able to have the same influence as he had in the SUNS’s historic upset win over Collingwood.
Charlie Dixon was superb in his return from a recurring ankle injury, collecting 17 disposals, ten hit-outs, six marks and two goals as the towering ruckman was forced to shoulder the load after Tom Nicholls was subbed out of the match with a knee injury.
Danny Stanley kept Chris Judd relatively quiet with just the 18 disposals.
HOT: -
In the mix –
Round 19 Gold Coast SUNS vs. West Coast
Nathan Bock surprise AFL return wasn’t enough to spark the SUNS to their first victory in the West, as the Eagles survived a late scare to win by 17-points at Etihad Stadium.
Dion Prestia continued his stellar season into the Round 18 battle, the pocket rocket working himself into every nearby contest as he went on to finish with a game-high 28 disposals, six clearances and five stoppages.
Steven May finished among the SUNS best, keeping Eagles spearhead Jack Darling to just 13 disposals and zero goals before making the switch on Josh Kennedy.
Harley Bennell showed his polish and class, finishing with 27 touches.
HOT: -
In the mix – D. Prestia, H. Bennell, G. Ablett
Round 20 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Melbourne
It wasn’t the easiest of wins, but the Gold Coast SUNS eventually fought off a spirited Melbourne comeback to win by 13 points at Metricon Stadium.
David Swallow found fine form in the midfield in just his second match back from a knee injury, the 2010 No.1 Draft pick amassing 28 disposals, three clearances, five tackles and five inside-50s to finish as the SUNS leading possession-getter on the night.
Harley Bennell added 27 touches, three marks and five clearances to his name, while enforcer Campbell Brown had one of his most polished performances for the year.
HOT: - D. Swallow
In the mix – D. Prestia, H. Bennell
Round 21 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Port Adelaide
Despite Port Adelaide producing their highest-scoring opening quarter of the season, the Gold Coast showed nerves of steel as they chased down the early deficit to overtake the lead on the scoreboard mid-way through the third term.
Harley Bennell was magnificent against the finals-bound Power unit, doing his best to lift the SUNS to victory with a 28-disposal, three-game performance.
Elevated-rookie Andrew Boston came of age against the hard-running South Australian powerhouse, picking up 14 disposals to go with his career three-goal haul.
Daniel Gorringe produced his best game on interstate soil in front of family and friends, finding plenty of football in the centre square to finish with 22 touches and six marks for the afternoon.
HOT: -
In the mix – H. Bennell
Round 22 Gold Coast SUNS vs. St. Kilda
There wasn’t much that went right for the Gold Coasters when they flew south to take on St. Kilda, with the Saints making the most of their opportunities around goals to lock their first win in two months.
Nick Riewoldt starred with 15 marks and four goals, while Stephen Milne and Lenny Hayes turned back the clock with vintage performances.
Leigh Montana was inspirational with his 33 touches, Nick Dal Santo also finished with 31 disposals.
Gold Coast’s Danny Stanley, Dion Prestia and Harley Bennell competed hard in the midfield, while Timmy Sumner also showcased his goal-kicking skills with three majors.
HOT: -
In the mix –
Round 23 Gold Coast SUNS vs. Greater Western Sydney
The Gold Coast SUNS drew the curtains on Kevin Sheedy’s illustrious senior coaching career with a spectacular record-breaking win over the Giants, eclipsing their previous biggest win margin of 60-points against Melbourne earlier this year as they finished with a whopping 83-point victory at Metricon Stadium.
Ablett was a bona fide superstar against GWS, finishing the game with an equal game-high 33 disposals, five marks, six clearances and with four goals to sit alongside Andrew Boston on top of the score sheet.
After an injury-plagued Premiership Michael Rischitelli bounced back in strong fashion, racking up 25 disposals and kicking two crucial goals in the second quarter.
HOT: G. Ablett
In the mix – D. Prestia, M. Rischitelli
