With Zac Smith ruled out for the remainder of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and in-form spearhead Charlie Dixon still rehabilitating from an ankle sprain, the project ruckmen are firmly in the hot seat to make their first AFL appearance for 2013.
“We don’t want to push anyone up who we think can’t be successful at the elite level, but I think the way they have played and dominated opponents in recent weeks gives me a lot more confidence,” Hart said.
But while the proven ruck-combination of Smith and Dixon will wait patiently in the wings for a much-anticipated return in 2014, GC SUNS General Manager of Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft says the big-men’s absence is a window of opportunity for two of the club’s emerging stars.
“An opportunity certainly presents itself for our other ruckmen who are playing well in the reserves like Tommy Nicholls and Danial Gorringe, who were both among our best players against Morningside last week,” Ashcroft said.
“They’ll certainly be in the mix to play this week, if not next week…. While one door shuts on Zac another opens for someone to come in and fill the void.”
Hart told goldcoastfc.com.au the dynamic duo had given themselves every opportunity to be in the mix for senior selection after consecutive stand-out performances against Southport and Morningside through the NEAFL competition.
“Tommy Nicholls went out (against the Panthers) with an attitude to dictate the game by the way he palmed the way and then his follow-up efforts after the ball had left his area,” said Hart.
“Daniel played on Cam Davey, an experienced NEAFL player and one of the better forwards in the competiton, and I thought he a great job on him.
“He also went into the ruck to inject himself into the contest… he’s proven that he’s got great strings to his bow both down back, on-ball around the football and up forward.”
Hart said his developing key position players had begun attacking their footy with renewed confidence that they could make it at the top level.
“Their confident, which makes me confident,” Hart said.
“You never know going into that next level but you hope that they’ve played well enough and above the competition that their at, so that they can go on to compete at that next level and be successful.”
