Potential selection headaches ahead of the opening round of the AFLW season is a good problem to have according to Head Coach Cameron Joyce.
The SUNS will head into the August 27 season opener against North Melbourne with a strong bill of health following its two pre-season hitouts against AFLW opposition.
Those two tests, match simulation against the Brisbane Lions and a pre-season match against Geelong, also saw plenty of players earning invaluable game time on the eve of the season.
“Availability is strong, that’s really pleasing for us,” Joyce said.
“We’ve given a number of players opportunities in both games. It’s a good opportunity for us to digest those games, see how the new players have gone, some players in potentially new roles too and how we gel the team together.
“[A selection headache] is something you always want and we know we’ve got a big couple of weeks before Round 1.
Joyce concedes Geelong were quicker to adapt to less-than-ideal conditions in Saturday’s pre-season clash as the Cats jumped out to a decisive first-half lead but says the SUNS will be better for the experience.
“Our second half was much better than our first. It’s fair to say we got caught of the blocks with the conditions.
“We adjusted, unfortunately too late in the piece in terms of the game, but it’s something that we’ll take some learnings from for games that throw up those sorts of conditions.
