There were some fresh faces in the Gold Coast SUNS back six in their pre-season game against Brisbane on Sunday, with teenagers Brayden Fiorini and Jack Bowes playing new rebounding roles off half-back.
Fiorini had 18 disposals at 89% efficiency, delivering the ball with pinpoint accuracy while Bowes had 11 touches and grew in confidence as the game wore on, with both players drawing praise from coaches and teammates.
“Two young players obviously got an opportunity to play down there. They’re both terrific young men, they’re really coachable and willing to learn,” assistant coach Andy Lovell told reporters at SUNS headquarters on Monday.
“We had some feedback from our senior defenders today that they were terrific. They listened, they competed really strongly which as a young player down there that’s the first thing you want from them.
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“It builds trust from your teammates is that ability to compete and dig in and they both do that really well. They naturally compete really well so it’s new to them because Brayden’s an inside mid and Bowesy’s played a lot of forward-mid so to play as a defender, albeit a JLT Series pre-season game, of AFL footy it was a new experience for them but we’re really pleased by the way they came through.”
With Kade Kolodjashnij, Jesse Joyce and Sean Lemmens, all more than capable in defence, the club’s defensive stocks suddenly look the strongest they’ve been in years with the likes of Jarrod Harbrow, Jack Martin and Trent McKenzie all still to return.
Recruit Pearce Hanley has experience in the back half, as does the returning David Swallow meaning there is significantly increased competition for spots in 2017 with round one quickly approaching.
“There’s some pressure on, there’s no doubt about that. Even our ability to be able to play Pearce Hanley back there if we need to at different times,” Lovell said.
“David Swallow’s coming back from a major long-term injury so he’s also spent some time as a half back in previous seasons.
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“So there’s some real depth there that allows us to be able to experiment a little bit, but to be able to throw players around as well.”
The club’s engine room depth was also on show against Brisbane after the SUNS targeted midfielders in the recent trade and draft periods, with No. 9 pick Will Brodie making his first SUNS appearance inside the centre square as did Hanley and ex-Docker Michael Barlow.
“Will Brodie’s a young player, Micky Barlow he was a target for us from Fremantle. He’s trained really well and he’s a big, hard body with lots of experience at a really good club,” Lovell said.
“It’s something that we missed last year, midfield depth, and it certainly gives you lots of options.”
