’Special’ Fitzroy finding his feet

NICK Malceski believes Fitzroy Greenwool is one of the most gifted small forwards to ever come through the Suns academy and says he could finally be finding the consistency that has previously stopped him from being drafted.

Greenwool kicked four goals to help Gold Coast produce their first win of the season and first win in Darwin over the Northern Territory on Saturday, his efforts matched by returning listed player Sean Lemmens and Ben King.

Gold Coast led by 62 points at halftime and ran out 18.13 (121) to 7.9 (51) winners at Tio Stadium.

Greenwool, 19, is in his final year of the Suns academy and fighting to convince Gold Coast or other AFL clubs he is worth drafting.

The energetic small forward, who hails from the Gulf of Carpentaria, produced his trademark dash and creative flare on his way to kicking goals from the pocket on tight angles.

The biggest hurdle Greenwool has faced when it comes to joining an AFL list has been his habit of coming in and out of games without making a constant impact.

“Fitzroy has something special that is for sure,” Malceski said. “The biggest thing for him

has been consistency. I spoke to him last year about floating in and out of games.

“He would be really energetic at the start and then you won’t see him for a bit.

“Being consistent when the ball comes into the forward line through his work rate and tackle pressure is what he needs to do.

“That is what we have been basing his game on and that’s when he is playing his best.”

“That is something he delivered (on Saturday).”

Gold Coast were winless going into the Round 5 game and Malceski called on his players to simply focus on winning the contest.

“The boys delivered,” Malceski said.

“They were really clean. We spoke about doing the extras during the week and a lot of them did that. Our pressure around the footy was evident in the first half especially.”