With the season set to start this weekend, the team at NEAFL Media have previewed how the SUNS are shaping up.

2017 SUMMARY

The sun is starting to shine brighter on the Gold Coast. Last year was a terrific year for the SUNS, making their first NEAFL Preliminary Final. Although beaten comfortably by the Swans in the end, the SUNS showed in 2017 they are a club with a very exciting future. The highlight of the year was their win against NT Thunder in Elimination Final at Metricon Stadium. Darcy Macpherson was a stand out last year averaging just over 30 disposals a game. Macpherson was named as the forward pocket for the NEAFL Team of the Year and was named the SUNS’ NEAFL Player of the Year. The best reward for Macpherson is that he has played in the first two victories for the Suns in the AFL this year.

WHAT’S NEW IN 2018?

There is quite a lot of change for the SUNS in 2018. Firstly, with all the usual list changes some handy NEAFL contributors left the club. The SUNS had to move their training sessions away from Metricon Stadium to Bond University due to the Commonwealth Games, with their first game at Metricon Stadium being in Round 11. There is also a new AFL and NEAFL coach at the helm, with Stuart Dew and Nick Malceski the respective coaches of each. It’s been a solid start to the 2018 season, with Gold Coast winning all three practice matches and having an AFL team that has won their first two games.

FIRST MONTH

Their first match of the year will be against Aspley at Graham Road which should be an entertaining and fascinating battle against Aspley’s new recruits. One of those recruits being Andrew Swallow, who is the brother of Gold Coast’s David Swallow. The SUNS then travel to Mackay to play the GIANTS for a home game before playing last years’ grand finalists – Sydney and Brisbane – to finish off what should be a challenging but exciting month of football.

2018 WILL BE A HIT IF…

The SUNS can beat the Sydney Swans. The teams clash four times last year, culminating in the Preliminary Final but the SUNS were unable to beat them on any occasion. They won’t have to wait long for redemption as they play the Swans in Round 4 at Fankhauser Reserve. If the SUNS can challenge them this year and continue to put pressure on the AFL players for spots at the top level, the club will be well placed.

2018 WILL BE A MISS IF…

Last year the SUNS developed players like Macpherson to AFL standard while also forging a healthy breeding ground for academy players – with Brayden Crossley, Connor Nutting, Jacob Dawson and Jacob Heron all being drafted. Last year Gold Coast did this very well, despite not having the healthiest list at times. Part of their success was due to the even contributions from the team including academy players, and if this continues, they should be able to make finals again.

STAR POWER

Now an AFL-listed player, Brayden Crossley has the potential to dominate the NEAFL this year. Playing his third season in the NEAFL, Crossley will be hoping he can produce some good form and hopefully get some games in the AFL. The 18-year-old was named Gold Coast Suns Academy Player of the Year, Allies MVP and was picked up at number 52 in the national draft. Former Fremantle player Michael Barlow is yet to make it back into the AFL side after his leg injury and will be extremely valuable whenever he plays in the NEAFL for his class and leadership.

ROOKIE WATCH

There are a number of exciting U19 Academy prospects for Gold Coast. Last year’s U18 National Championship Allies players: Kwabye Boakye, Timakoi Bowie, Brodie Foster, Harry Simmington and Damien Burke will all be players to watch this year to see if they are able to find themselves on an AFL list at the end of the year.

TO KICK THINGS OFF

Round 1, April 7
Aspley Hornets v Gold Coast Suns at Graham Road, 1.30pm.