Gold Coast’s non-selected AFL players continue to put pressure on selection with another strong performance against non-selected Fremantle and Port Adelaide players on Saturday morning.

While no scores were kept, the SUNS were clearly the more dominant side and Assistant Coach Tim Clarke has given his appraisal of the players’ performances below.

Will Brodie:

Will played as an inside mid and continues to have a positive impact at stoppages. He was strong offensively and help set up seven scoring shots. Will continues to play with strong defensive intent and needs to be consistent with this to earn an AFL recall.

Chris Burgess:

Chris had a very good game defensively and was only beaten in one contest. He was able to shut down most of Fremantle’s attacks and his body work to beat his man or help out a teammate has been a standout of his game. He was more involved offensively this week but could still find more of the footy to have a bigger impact.

Matthew Conroy:

Sauce played the first half in the forward line before being given some time in the ruck in the second half. He’s playing his role defensively well but we’ll be working with Sauce on how he can have more impact when playing forward.

Josh Corbett:

Corbs had another impressive game this week and is putting pressure on for senior selection. He had four goals and nine score involvements on the day which shows the impact he’s having on results. Some of his strengths are his leading patterns and contested marking which were again on show.

Jacob Dawson:

Jacob played his role defensively again this week. He continues to help set us up offensively with composed ball use in our back half. We’re liking how Jacob continues to look to go forward with ball in hand rather than take a neutral option.

Corey Ellis:

Corey played in the midfield this week and was very good around the contest with his intent again. He was more involved offensively and was clean with ball in hand. His natural balance around stoppages stands out and he’s playing his role for us.

Jy Farrar:

Jy had an improved game this week and was involved in six scores on the back of some relentless defensive pressure in our forward half. He continues to improve his leading each week and is getting rewarded on the back of this. His two shots on goal from some terrific crumbing was very pleasing.

Brayden Fiorini:

Brayden played his role around stoppages and the contest playing in the midfield. He was clean around the ball and made some good decisions to go forward. Brayden had a fair bit of the ball but we want him to be more damaging with his disposal to really elevate his impact on the game.

Sam Flanders:

Sam had another solid game this weekend, splitting his time between the forward line and midfield. His defensive pressure has been outstanding the last couple of weeks and he really sets the scene for the team in this area. Sam was also very lively offensively and had five score involvements.

Sam Fletcher:

Sam had a much improved game from last week as an inside mid. He was tough and combative inside the contest, but still clean with the ball in hand. He was used well in transition and was involved in five scores on the day.

Caleb Graham:

Caleb was excellent in defence and one of our best players on the day. He didn’t get beaten all game and not only did he defend his man, but he also supported his other teammates well in marking contests. We’re looking forward to more performances like this from Caleb to keep the pressure on the senior backline players.

Jacob Heron:

Speedy played the whole match on the wing and through the midfield. He showed strong work-rate defensively but we’d like him to be able to impact the game more with some offensive run and carry which is one of his strengths.

Jack Hombsch:

Hommer was outstanding in defence for us this week. His proactive positioning allowed him to cut off opposition attacks and have a huge impact on the game. He used the ball well on turnover and is a ready-made replacement if an opportunity arises at AFL level. 

Jesse Joyce:

Jesse was again one of our better players on the weekend and continues to be bold with the ball in hand. He was playing as a small defender and was able to win some key one-on-one contests on the back of his proactive positioning. He worked well with the other defenders to give us terrific stability all game.

Jez McLennan:

Jez didn’t get beaten in a one-on-one contest playing as a small defender. He’s playing his role at the moment but we’re working with Jez on finding ways he can be more damaging off half-back when rebounding.

Jordan Murdoch:

Jordan played both inside midfield and wing this week and did some good things across all four quarters. His defensive pressure has been very good but he would have liked to have found more of the football to have a greater impact offensively. 

Patrick Murtagh:

Patty suited up for the second half and his contest work in the final quarter really stood out. He helped generate two to three scores for the team but needs to keep focussing on being a key target for us inside 50.

Hewago Paul Oea:

Ace continues to develop each week playing in the forward line. He didn’t have huge possession numbers but was able to impact when he did have the football. Five score involvements for the day was very pleasing to see for Ace 

Izak Rankine:

It was Izak’s second game back this week and he played close to full game-time in his forward role. He was very lively around the ball and was able to kick 3.2 on the back of some outstanding positioning and crumbing at ground level. He was also very good defensively and put pressure on the Fremantle defenders.

Malcolm Rosas Jnr:

Malcolm also played just the second half and looked dangerous a couple of times when he moved onto the ball. He would have liked to have been more effective with his disposal but Mally will be better for the run.

Josh Schoenfeld:

Schoey had a similar game to last week playing both inside midfield and half-forward. He was tough and clean inside the contest and was able to claim a few marks on the lead in the forward half. He had some opportunities in front of goal but would have liked to be more accurate with his shots.

Jeremy Sharp:

Sharpy is improving every week and was very dangerous again offensively this week. He’s been playing a lot of time on the wing and is still learning correct positioning and running patterns. His big weapon is his run and carry and he was able to demonstrate this on the weekend with some piercing runs through the corridor after a handball receive.

Zac Smith:

Zac had a good battle with Sean Darcy in the ruck who is an AFL-standard ruckman. Smithy is playing his role well and he was used more this week to help clear the ball from contests. He showed a great work-rate to get back and support his teammates in defence.

Luke Towey:

It was Luke’s second game of AFL football and he was strong defensively. His game is starting to build nicely with some positive signs and great pressure. Once Luke starts to read the game a bit better he will be able to have a bigger impact offensively which will come with more game-time. 

Peter Wright:

Pete played in his forward/ruck role and was much more involved this week. He competed in plenty of contests and was able to bring the ball to ground to allow our small forwards to get to work. He had some terrific examples of work-rate in the ruck and had eight score involvements on the day.