Finals sweat over fit players

GOLD Coast will sweat on the fitness of numerous senior players this week as they prepare to host Northern Territory Thunder in an elimination final at Metricon Stadium.

The Suns suffered a 23.12 (150) to 13.5 (83) loss to the Sydney Swans on Saturday at home but held on to fourth spot on the ladder on percentage thanks to Aspley’s win over the Thunder in Brisbane.

Gold Coast will now play Northern Territory at noon this Saturday to decide who will play the Swans the following week.

Injuries meant the Suns had just seven listed players in their loss to Sydney on Saturday but were within a goal early in the third term before the Swans kicked away.

“We just hung in there and had a crack so we feel it’s a great preparation for us for our young fellas to go into next week’s final against NT,” Suns NEAFL coach Stephen Daniel said.

Jack Bowes, Will Brodie, Brad Scheer, Ryan Davis, Michael Rischitelli and Brayden Crossley were Gold Coast’s best in the loss.

Gold Coast have 17-listed AFL players eligible to play finals this weekend but many are either in doubt with injury or likely to be named in a depleted senior side for the club’s last game of the year against Port Adelaide.

It will mean the Suns will have an anxious wait to see who is fit and available later this week.

“At this stage I dare say we will probably roll out about 10 listed,” Daniel said.

Securing a home final could be the difference between the Suns progressing beyond this week with Northern Territory struggling away from home this season.

“We felt getting a home final was really important, that’s why last week’s win against Brisbane Lions was a crucial game for us.

“We just had to basically get the four points to stay home. NT are very good on their home deck in those conditions.

“They are so hard to beat there so it brings it back in our favour a bit one would think, especially having to travel two weeks in a row.”