Sun’s silver lining
NICK Holman says he harbours no anger towards Carlton as he prepares to go up against the club he once believed ended his AFL career.
Holman completed his footy resurrection on Saturday night, celebrating a 7.13 (55) to 5.9 (39) win over North Melbourne with new club Gold Coast Suns.
It came three years after Holman was delisted by the Blues in 2015, a move that prompted him to spend two seasons with South Australian team Central Districts.
Holman conceded he had moved on from the decision that left him shattered but said he wanted to prove Carlton made the wrong decision when he plays the Blues for the first time since his departure this Saturday in Melbourne.
“It will be an interesting experience but a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then and I’m still thankful for the opportunity they gave me,” Holman said.
“It’s been a long couple of years and it will be super nice to get the win over them.
“I think it will be a bit weird at first but once the ball bounces I reckon I’ll be right, it will be on.
“I’m happy. I was disappointed to part ways with them but that’s footy I guess. It worked out my way a little bit now after getting picked up again.”
It took Holman just one game to etch his name into Gold Coast’s history alongside the likes of former skipper Gary Ablett.
The 22-year-old recorded a game and career-high 13 tackles in the Suns’ 16-point win over the Kangaroos in heavy rain at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns. Only Ablett has recorded more tackles in a single game by a Suns player, with 17 (2015) and 14 (2011), while Jaeger O’Meara has produced 13 tackles in a game in 2014.
“It feels pretty good to be in company with Gary Ablett and Jaeger,” Holman said.