Suns’ injury crisis bonus
THE Gold Coast Suns talent unearthed during the club’s injury crisis will be given the first shot at retaining their positions next year.
The emergence of a new brigade has been one of the major positives in an otherwise challenging season for the Suns.
The likes of Aaron Hall, Jesse Lonergan, Sean Lemmens, Henry Schade, Adam Saad and Touk Miller have acquitted themselves and prospered thanks to the increased exposure to first grade football.
Suns coach Rodney Eade has been so impressed by their development that he has put the onus on the club’s incumbents, many of who have been sidelined by injury this year, to force their way back into the side next season.
“If their pre-season is fine they will get the first opportunity, then it is up to them,” Eade said.
“If their form is right then they actually put themselves in the frame to get the start.
“It is going to be picked on form and their workrate.”
As the club prepares to play their final game of the season against Sydney at the SCG today, Eade, who has had a tough start to his tenure coaching the Suns, said what he had seen from the players this year made him bullish about the future.
“The biggest thing I have learnt is that they are a pretty tight group,” Eade said. “They want direction, want education and want to be successful.
“They have a lot of spirit so for all the so-called negatives the year has had I believe there are a lot of positives that come out of it.
“That certainly gives me a lot of comfort and positivity going forward.”
The Gold Coast are clear underdogs against a Swans team aiming to cement their place in the top four leading into the finals.
But Eade said the Suns’ re- cent draw with West Coast and slim loss to ladder leaders Fremantle were examples of why it would be unwise to rule out the Gold Coast.
“Sydney are playing at home and they have got a full strength side so it’s going to be a difficult task,” Eade said.
“We will try some different things and if the effort and work ethic is there then you never know what can happen.”