Finishing on a high
WITH five games remaining and the Suns staring down the barrel of a 14th straight loss, Eliza Reilly looks at five things we want to see from the team to close out the AFL season.
CONTINUE TO BLOOD YOUTH
The list of uncapped Suns is fairly short as it is but with senior players still out of form and some of their best players on the sidelines, there’s a few untested kids who could be worth rolling the dice on. They may inject some muchneeded excitement on field.
The name on everyone’s lips is excitement machine Izak Rankine but coach Stuart Dew says the South Australian is a week-by-week proposition with a hip injury.
Caleb Graham has been one of the reserves’ better performers while Sam Fletcher is back from injury and might be worth a try if he can build fitness.
2. ONE MORE WIN
It seems like a low number but when you look at the remaining five games it’s hard to see it happening.
Four of their final five rivals are in the top eight with the fifth, Hawthorn, one game outside. Much like last year’s upset of Sydney in Round 18, the Suns may have nothing to play for and could produce something special.
Their best chances probably come against an inconsistent Hawks outfit who don’t adapt well to Marvel Stadium, and a Round 21 QClash. It’s a tough ask with the Lions in ripping form but don’t discount state pride.
3. RE-SIGN MARTIN
After the exodus of talent in the past few years, Jack Martin’s signature is a must if the Suns are to rise next year.
Martin explored a move to Essendon during the 2018 season, which was ultimately blocked by the Suns but the 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season.
He’s expected to return to training in the next fortnight after a finger injury derailed the back half of his season but the Suns simply can’t afford to lose another top talent.
4. UNLEASH YOUNG JACK LUKOSIUS UP FORWARD
After completing his AFL apprenticeship up forward, the axe fell on Lukosius ahead of their Round 7 loss to the Eagles with the youngster struggling to have an impact.
He returned one match later against the Dees and had a few more quiet games but the 18-year-old strung together a number of polished performances in the back half in recent weeks.
Dew lauded the South Australian after his 18-disposals, seven-mark effort against the Swans in Round 15 but we’re going to be selfish.
Give him another crack up forward. He was compared to Nick Riewoldt in his draft year, he models his game on Jack Gunston, so give him another chance to have a breakout game in the front half.
Sam Day proved in 2016 he’s a handy defender so there are options.
5. TIGHTEN UP THEIR DEFENCE
In the 13 straight losses, the Suns have conceded 104 points a game, 10 more than the next worse team in that stretch, St Kilda.
That run also included conceding 150 and 151 points in successive weeks against Richmond and Adelaide.
If the Suns are to go close to a win in the final five games they’ll have to tighten up a leaky defence. It all starts this weekend with the Bombers who have failed to break the 100-point barrier since Round 3. A big challenge for the Suns will be shutting down former playmaker Adam Saad.