Gold Coast SUNS Senior Assistant Coach Dean Solomon has outlined the challenges facing the SUNS heading into Round 4 against Carlton on their home deck. 

Challenge #1: Part 1, Stoppages

Jarrod Witts is averaging 43.7 hit-outs so far this season, but the SUNS need to ensure they are using this to their advantage to get the ball moving cleanly out of stoppages. 

“At the moment Jarrod Witts is getting his hand on the ball quite a lot so we need to become more consistent in converting that into clearances.”

“That will lead to us winning more stoppages and also contested ball.”

Challenge #1: Part 2, Midfield

Jack Bowes and Brayden Fiorini have tackled huge challenges in the opening rounds of the season, namely taking on Nat Fyfe (Fremantle) and Marcus Bontempelli (Bulldogs). 

Come Sunday there is a high chance the pair will cross paths with Patrick Cripps, tasked with stopping his dominance.

“All their [Carlton’s] numbers in around this area [midfield] at the moment are quite strong - for our young midfield group this is going to be another great challenge.”

Challenge #2: Make Metricon Stadium a fortress

The SUNS are aiming to make it three consecutive wins come Sunday afternoon and securing their second in front of a home crowd for 2019.

“On the back of a really good win two weeks ago against Fremantle we need to back that up.”

“We want to make Metricon quite a hostile environment for other clubs to come and play at.”


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