Tall order for Day
Suns rush back key target into undersized forward line
THE Suns have rolled the dice on Sam Day and his ability to get through today’s clash with Melbourne despite him not making an appearance during the NAB Challenge series.
Day’s only match time during an interrupted preseason was with the Suns NEAFL side during a scratch match against the Brisbane Lions reserves.
In the absence of Tom Lynch through suspension and Charlie Dixon who is recovering from ankle surgery, the Suns faced the prospect of heading to the MCG today with an undersized forward line. But Day has proven his fitness and the Suns have wasted no time in naming him at centre half-forward although he is more likely to provide a tall target deep in attack.
The 22-year-old has become something of a fix-it specialist at Metricon Stadium. He toiled away in the final weeks of last season when the club had no other rucking options and always provides a contest.
“He’s only played one game in the NEAFL team but it’s great that he’s been able to get himself right,” Suns midfield ball magnet Dion Prestia said.
“We need that extra tall down in the forward line.”
Knowing Lynch and Dixon would be unavailable for Round 1 the Suns tried Daniel Gorringe at full-forward against the Lions in the final NAB Challenge match a fortnight ago but with limited success. In his defence, the Suns were guilty of bombing the ball into the forward 50 and did Gorringe no favours.
“Having another key forward down there is going to make life a lot easier for him (Gorringe),” Prestia said.
The Suns have five firstgamers today – small forwards Touk Miller and Jarrod Garlett, and defender Adam Saad make their AFL debuts and Nick Malceski and Mitch Hallahan will add some polish to the side.
Prestia said all three debutantes had earned their stripes. “It is not a surprise that all three boys have been picked. They’ve had great pre-seasons and they’ve had an impact from the first day they arrived.
“All the boys are pretty mature for their age. I’m sure they’ll be fine once the game starts,” he said.