Lyons in mix for AFL return
SUNS coach Stuart Dew is considering recalling midfielder Jarryd Lyons as he looks to make multiple changes to an out-of-form Gold Coast side ahead of Saturday’s clash with St Kilda.
Lyons was sensationally dropped from Gold Coast’s senior side after playing the first nine rounds of the season, spending the past two weeks playing for the club’s NEAFL side while the seniors lost to Geelong and GWS by a combined 193 points.
Dew said the work rate of the former Crow, who was in career-best form in 2017, had dropped and his form had gone with it, despite Lyons still averaging 24 disposals, six tackles and six clearances a game.
But Dew said the 25-yearold had put himself in the mix to come into a struggling midfield following performances against Southport and GWS.
“He is definitely in the mix,” Dew said.
“He had a strong game last week and previously to that against Southport he battled away.
“I thought he was a lot better on the weekend in the NEAFL against quality opposition.
“He was lacking a bit of form. I thought he started the season really strongly but then his three games before we put him back in the NEAFL, I thought his work rate dipped and therefore his form dipped.”
Lyons could be one of multiple incoming players for the club’s Round 13 game against the Saints at Metricon Stadium, with Dew confirming he will be shaking things up for a side that warranted criticism for recent poor performances.
The Suns have been under fire but, despite reports some players want out of the club, Dew said he was confident everyone was invested.
Gold Coast have scored a combined two points in the final quarters of their past three games, with Dew revealing he set the team the task of winning the last term against GWS when the game was already lost.
It didn’t happen.
Dew said fitness and the team’s resilience were both factors in the blowouts.
“We have really let ourselves down in the last two weeks on the back of poor contest and work rate so we will look for a big improvement in that area,” Dew said.
“When I say work rate, that’s how we move the ball, that’s how we stop the opposition moving the ball – really gets back to our core stuff.”