Saturday night could not have gone better for the Gold Coast Suns, who celebrated the return of AFL football by defeating the 2018 premiers, the West Coast Eagles, by 44 points.
The match didn't only break a 19-game losing streak for Gold Coast, which dated back to April last year, but provided the perfect stage for the young Suns' players to showcase their talent to the football public.
All but two of Gold Coast's 22 players from the weekend were 28 or under and even more impressively, of the five top-rated Suns players on the ground deemed by the coaches, none were over 24 years of age.
First-year player and number one draft pick Matthew Rowell epitomised this extremely young and talented Suns side. Leading from the front, Rowell produced a best on ground display in what was just his second game - an impressive feat considering the calibre of opposition he was up against.
Rowell recorded 26 disposals, two goals, seven tackles and an efficiency of 80% - a statistic considered elite even for the most experienced of players. It was his attack for the football, something Gold Coast has been known to be lacking, which was most impressive.
He recorded 14 contested possessions and often beat his more fancied Eagles opponents in one-on-one contests, which included the likes of Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff and superstar recruit Tim Kelly.
Rowell's best friend and number two draft pick, Noah Anderson, recorded 19 disposals to go with his maiden goal and like Rowell, played with the level of poise and a hunger-to-win attitude similar to that of someone who has had years of experience at AFL level.
Lachie Weller, another talented young player - who Gold Coast gave up their second draft pick to Fremantle for, a gamble in the eyes of many - played his best game for the Suns. His early goal set the tone for the game as he recorded 24 disposals while his usual run and dash provided the impetus for the Suns in the back half of the ground.
Add the class of Jack Bowes (22 years old) and Brayden Fiorini (22), the work ethic of Touk Miller (24), the potential in Ben Ainsworth (22) and Ben King (19) and the way Lukosius (19), Powell (20) and MacPherson (22) already play and the future is bright for on Gold Coast.
The Suns will be the first to admit they have had an embarrassment of riches as far as talented footballers are concerned. The likes of Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia, Adam Saad, Tom Lynch and Steven May - all of which are household names in the AFL, have all developed their game on the Gold Coast and all left for Melbourne based clubs.
So what makes the current crop of young stars different to those who have walked before them?
The Suns have been very vocal in the past three years about their drafting strategies; draft mates together, draft homegrown talent and show faith while contracting young players.
It started in 2017 when Gold Coast, holding four of the top 10 draft picks in the AFL, decided it was time for a change in the way they drafted. With those picks, the Suns selected Jack Bowes, Jack Scrimshaw, Ben Ainsworth and Will Brodie. Within months the four draftees, who were all great mates, pencilled long term deals.
Despite Scrimshaw having since been traded to Hawthorn, Bowes, Ainsworth and Brodie create the nucleus for this crop of young Gold Coast players. The Suns have since drafted using the same principals, recruiting best mates Noah Anderson and Matthew Rowell with picks one and two in last years AFL draft.
With 30 players re-signed beyond this year for the Suns, the majority of them below the age of 25 including future stars Rowell, Ainsworth, Bowes and Lukosius - the future shines bright for the Suns.
Rep' the Gold Coast Suns by getting one of these Gold Coast Suns Travel Mugs or these Suns Scarves! 🏉
Comments
Post a Comment