Efficiency the goal
Coast attack sloppy but Brodie impresses
SUNS coach Rodney Eade says Gold Coast have to improve their efficiency going forward while draftee Will Brodie has put himself on the cusp of a Round 1 AFL debut.
Gold Coast edged out Essendon 12.7 (79) to 12.4 (76) at Harrup Park in Mackay yesterday to win their second successive pre-season game.
The Suns ability to camp themselves in the Bombers defensive 50m and the fact they got through the game without suffering any major injuries has Gold Coast officials buoyed about the team’s chances of success this year.
But with lone tall forward Peter Wright unable to make an impact and at times poor attempted shots on goal from others around him, Gold Coast were left scrambling for a win.
“Some things we’re working on in the contest, being prepared to run at times and our running pattern was good,” Eade said.
“I think it was a step up from our last game as far as our improvement. “There was still some areas to work on. I thought our efficiency going inside 50m was average, albeit we only had one tall. Our shots at goal, we probably kicked four out on the full and missed some shots we should have kicked, so there’s certainly some things to work on.
“There is some work to do. We’ve got about eight or nine to come back in and about five or six of them can play mid or forward, so we’ll have some talent coming back in, which should help that.”
Among those in line to come back include Gary Ablett, Tom Lynch, Jarryd Lyons, Jarrod Witts, Aaron Hall and Matt Rosa. The return of their best ball users will make it tough for draftee Will Brodie to secure a Round 1 debut but another strong performance from the No. 9 draft pick has him on the cusp of breaking into the Suns best 22.
“Will started exceptionally well,” Eade said.
“He’s certainly put himself in the frame for Round 1, there’s no doubt about that.
“He’s a tough player, he’s going to be a really good player for us.
“We’ve got some really good midfielders coming back, Lyons and Ablett and Hall, so if he does miss out, he’s not far away.”
Brodie collected 18 disposals, including 11 contested, had four clearances and kicked two goals.
He was one of the team’s best along with Alex Sexton who tallied 26 disposals, six clearances, eight inside 50s and kicked two goals.
“He was good, Alex,” Eade said.
“He’s quite vital to us actually. (He is) Probably not in our top 10 or 12 most talented players but his flexibility and ability to run, he’s improving his kicking, he’s quite vital to us.”