In a season ravaged by injuries, and in such a comprehensive manner that forced Rodney Eade and the match committee to make wholesale changes on a weekly basis, one silver lining was the opportunity presented to a plethora of young players on the Gold Coast SUNS list.
Seven players made their AFL debuts for the SUNS in 2015 – Touk Miller, Adam Saad, Henry Schade, Jarrod Garlett, Peter Wright, Josh Glenn and Keegan Brooksby – with a total of 41 players representing Eade’s senior side this season, emphasising the degree of injuries suffered this year.
The seasons of Miller and Saad have been well documented. Both manufactured exciting debut seasons. Both put their hands up to play significant roles in the clubs resurgence in 2016, with the pair exceeding expectations in 2015.
Miller played every game after being selected with pick No. 29 in last November’s national draft. He finished fourth in the SUNS best and fairest, sixth in the Rising Star award and third in the AFL Players Association Best First Year player prize. A stunning debut year, especially when you consider the calibre of players missing.
On the other hand, Saad wasn’t a high draft pick, not even close. In fact, the rookie revelation was overlooked in several drafts before being plucked in last December’s rookie draft by the SUNS. From there, the mature-aged rookie burst onto the scene, making recruiters around the country look foolish for overlooking him for so long. In 16 games, the rebounding defender produced exhilarating football, which captivated devout football followers around the country.
It may have taken until his fourth season in the system to crack a senior game, but Schade ensured he grasped his opportunity. The Tasmanian key defender was always going to be a project player, having landed with a bantamweight figure, all skin and bones. In 2015, he was one of the more surprising performers, playing 15 games after making his debut in round five, and constantly surprising with his solid efforts in defence.
As a key position prospect, the club was always going to be patient with Wright. Key position players take time. Gold Coast knew that and weren’t going to rush their prized draftee. Wright made his debut against Sydney in round ten, played the next week against Fremantle, before returning to the NEAFL to continue his development at the lower level. He played one more senior game for the year, providing a glimpse to the future. And with Charlie Dixon departing, the 200 cm mobile tall could be in for a lot more senior exposure in 2016.
Fellow first-round draftee, Garlett, enjoyed a greater taste of senior football in his maiden season. The West Australian played the first five games of the season before suffering a serious ankle injury that required an ankle reconstruction. It appeared that his season was over, but he made a stunning return late in the year to play the final month of the year in Eade’s side, for a return of nine appearances in his debut year. His final game against Sydney was arguably the finest of his career, building momentum into the upcoming pre-season.
Glenn experienced a dream start to his AFL career, booting a goal with his first kick in the opening minute of his debut, before finishing with 21 possessions against the Brisbane Lions in round five. He played the next week before falling victim to the debilitating injury curse and didn’t return to the SUNS senior setup until round 16, where he played a further three games. As a mature-aged rookie, five games in his first year was an impressive haul, especially after being overlooked in previous drafts despite strong form in the SANFL.
Brooksby was another mature-aged SANFL product recruited by the SUNS to bolster the NEAFL depth and add some senior experience to the list. The undersized ruckman endured an up-and-down debut season in Carrara, earning a senior opportunity in round nine against Hawthorn, before accruing three games for the season. He suffered a blood clot in his arm in late July, immediately drawing his season to a close in somewhat traumatic circumstances.
