Topping up NEAFL bid
THE Suns are working to build a winning culture from the ground up and it could start this weekend with 17 AFL-listed players in line for Gold Coast’s preliminary final against the Sydney Swans.
Gold Coast have been unable to win a NEAFL premiership since their arrival in 2011, failing in three previous ap- pearances in the finals.
The Suns have lost all three games against flag favourites Sydney this season but if they claim an unlikely victory over the Swans at Blacktown tomorrow then they will be in the box seat to win the grand final the following week.
Gold Coast had eight AFL listed players for last week’s elimination final win over Northern Territory Thunder.
The team is set to be bolstered by potential inclusions Mitch Hallahan, Max Spencer, Darcy Macpherson, Michael Rischitelli, Brad Scheer, Keegan Brooksby, Will Brodie, Jack Bowes and Tom Nicholls.
All were expected to be available if they got through last night’s training session, with Nicholls the major concern has he fights to return from an ankle problem.
All the inclusions will play a crucial role against the in-form Swans, particularly Rischitelli who has experience at playing in an AFL finals campaign from his time at the Brisbane Lions.
Forward Jarrad Grant kicked eight goals against the Thunder at Metricon Stadium last weekend – a week after slotting seven – and looms as Gold Coast’s biggest scoring threat against the Swans.
Suns NEAFL coach Stephen Daniel said the former Western Bulldogs player, who has 95 AFL games to his name, has been a pillar of strength for the club’s reserves throughout the season.
“Jarrad’s been terrific,”
Daniel said.
“He has really bought in to what we are trying to do at NEAFL level and has got the boys on board.
“He has been a really good leader and had a great attitude and approach to it all.”